Impulse Control Treatment Clinic

Learn more about impulse control disorder treatment at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

The inability to resist the temptation or urge to engage in problematic behaviors that can cause harm to oneself or others is the main characteristic of a group of mental health disorders known as impulse control disorders. This type of disorder can be extremely detrimental to an individual’s life, with the exact ramifications being dependent upon the severity and type of impulse control disorder. At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, the highly trained and qualified staff understands the challenges that an impulse control disorder can impose on a person’s life, which is why they provide specialized programming that is designed to meet the needs of those who are struggling with the concerns that accompany the presence of a myriad of mental disorders. Impulse control disorders can cause significant disruptions in an individual’s life, affecting social, academic, and occupational functioning.  At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we do not want you to have to fight this battle alone. Let our caring and compassionate staff get you or your loved the help needed to establish a bright and happy future.

San Juan Capestrano Hospital is a 172-bed, short-stay private psychiatric hospital located in Metropolitan San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since opening in 1988, we have prided ourselves on being a leader in offering superior treatment for individuals who are suffering from any number of behavioral and emotional concerns, as well as those who are plagued by chemical dependency issues. By offering programming options for adolescents, adults, and senior adults, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is able to afford immediate, acute care that is individualized to meet the unique needs of each patient with whom we work. Our staff consists of numerous mental health professionals, as well as addiction specialists and experienced medical personnel, who are able to facilitate services that emphasize the strengths that our patients possess, while understanding the sensitivity of the concerns that they face. We are proud of our ability to provide the highest quality of individualized care for impulse control disorders in Puerto Rico through innovative and distinctive treatment options that are based on integrity, respect, and compassionate care. We remain steadfast in our commitment to afford our patients with a safe and nurturing environment that will promote recovery and allow each individual to return to his or her respective community with an overall improved sense of emotional and physical wellbeing.

Helping a loved one get treatment for impulse control disorder

If you have a loved one who is struggling with the consequences brought on by an impulse control disorder, you may be at a complete loss for what you can do to help him or her break free from this destructive behavior. If you suspect that an impulse control disorder may be affecting a loved one, but are not quite sure, here are some signs and symptoms of impulse control disorder you can look out for:

• Acting out in an aggressive manner
• Compulsively lying and/or stealing
• Engaging in severe temper tantrums or angry outbursts
• Partaking in risky sexual behavior
• Playing with fire
• Demonstrating extreme agitation and/or irritability
• Experiencing periods of emotional detachment

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms in your loved one, you should make it a point to talk to your loved one about completing a mental health examination because these behaviors are often indicative of a more serious problem. Getting treatment early on can help to prevent these behaviors from developing into something more severe.

Why consider treatment for impulse control disorder at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

Individuals who display problems with impulse control should make it a point to seek consultation with a mental health professional as soon as possible so that proper treatment can be implemented. Those with an impulse control disorder tend to have difficulties in school, at work, or even at home. In some instances, these disorders occur alongside other conditions, which also need to be treated in order for a patient to truly recover. If not properly treated, impulse control disorders can leave behind a number of devastating long-term effects including academic or occupational failure, interactions with the legal system, substance use problems, and a complete lack of positive interpersonal relationships. The longer these disorders go untreated, the more severe they can become.

Inpatient treatment programs have proven to be effective when it comes to treating individuals who are trying to overcome the destructiveness that impulse control disorders can cause in their lives. An inpatient program can provide immediate care in a safe, secure environment that truly promotes healing and recovery. While in this type of program, all patients are provided with 24 hour support and care that will allow them to reach stabilization, assisting them in getting a jump start on the recovery process. In addition to the implementation of medication, those in inpatient programs are able to participate in a variety of therapeutic interventions, such as behavior modification, anger management, and the development of more appropriate social skills.

Types of impulse control disorder treatment offered at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we wholeheartedly believe in the notion that each patient should have individualized treatment that meets his or her every need. For this reason, we afford each patient who comes to us struggling with the devastating symptoms of impulse control disorders with individually tailored plans for treatment that are distinct to the adolescents, adults, and senior adults who come to us for mental health services. These plans detail the specific courses of treatment that patients will engage in and include aftercare recommendations that are devised by our staff so that every patient experiences a full continuum of care. The planning of treatment begins during the time of assessment and can be altered should additional concerns arise during the course of treatment at our hospital.

In order to meet the varying needs of people suffering from impulse control disorders, as well as the possible co-occurring issue of chemical dependency, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is pleased to provide various levels of care and specialized programming options. Our hospital features separate adult and adolescent inpatient programs that treat a myriad of mental health conditions, including impulse control disorders. The level of care most appropriate for a patient is decided upon during the initial psychiatric evaluation, wherein a patient’s needs are assessed, a physical examination is conducted, and a mental status assessment is administered in order to determine which program will produce the most favorable treatment outcomes for any given patient.

Once admitted to one of our programs, patients struggling with an impulse control disorder have the ability to partake in a number of therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities. These methods are rooted in evidence-based principles and techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and the 12-step model for recovery for those individuals who are struggling with substance abuse concerns in addition to the distressing symptoms of an impulse control disorder. The following methods for care are the ones primarily used at San Juan Capestrano Hospital and are implemented so that patients can find relief from the concerns that arise as a result of their mental health concerns:

Medical detoxification: For those that are battling a chemical dependency problem in addition to impulse control disorders, San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers medically supervised detoxification services that are aimed at helping adults, aged 18 and older, withdraw from substances in the most effective and safest manner possible. These services are monitored by medical professionals who have experience in making the process of withdrawal as comfortable as can be so that patients can partake in therapeutic interventions with addiction specialists who can help springboard them towards lasting healing and a full recovery from addiction.

Medication management: In some instances, successfully managing the symptoms of an impulse control disorder will require the use of certain medications. On a case-by-case basis, our qualified psychiatrists will determine each patient’s individual needs for medication, prescribe the appropriate medications, and will then monitor the therapeutic effectiveness of those medications.

Individual therapy: All patients who take part in our inpatient programming for an impulse control disorder will engage in individual therapy sessions four times per week. Individual therapy is a treatment method that is designed to provide patients with an opportunity to process emotions and thoughts on a one-to-one basis with a member of our staff. This can also be a time for individuals to discuss any concerns that they may have, as well as to track treatment goals.

Group therapy: San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers a number of group therapy opportunities for patients with impulse control disorders that offers them the opportunity to find support in one another and refine skills that have been learned. These sessions can be especially beneficial for individuals who are struggling with the disruptive symptoms of impulse control disorder as they can provide them with the sense of comfort that comes with knowing that they are not alone in their struggles. Some of the topics covered in these groups include techniques for managing stress, improving communication, learning and adapting healthy coping methods, bettering self-esteem, dealing with grief and loss, and persevering through trauma. These groups are offered several times per week to maximize the benefits of treatment offered in a group setting.    

Family therapy: Family therapy is offered as a method of treatment during inpatient programming so that our patients can receive abundant support from the people who care for them most. During family therapy sessions, patients and their loved ones can work through conflicts and improve communication so as to heal and better familial relationships through the implementation of skills that can service a family unit well for a lifetime. For the family members of patients with impulse control disorder, these sessions can also serve as a time for gaining education about the illness and learning ways in which they can best help and support their loved one.

As a way to fully treat the individuals who come to our hospital for care, we also include a number of other therapeutic interventions. Especially for those who are plagued by impulse control disorders and require additional support and/or resources, we supply the following interventions and group topics as part of our treatment; these interventions have proven effectiveness in helping our patients learn to manage stress and turmoil while gaining the tools needed to successfully manage the debilitating symptoms of their mental health condition while also addressing other concerns:   

• Canine therapy
• Infection control education
• Psychoeducation
• Anger management
• Pilates
• Relaxation techniques
• Occupational therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Medical issues management
• Crisis management
• Marijuana Anonymous
• Alcoholics Anonymous

Continuing care and levels of treatment for impulse control disorder

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we strive to provide the most comprehensive services that embody the highest quality of care possible for individuals who are suffering from impulse control disorders. To fulfill this goal, we begin discharge planning at the time of admissions and feature a number of continuing care options at varying levels of treatment so that each and every one of our patient’s needs can be treated once a higher level of care is no longer required.

San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers partial hospitalization programs for both adolescents and adults. The adolescent program is catered to youth between the ages of 13 and 17 years old and our adult program is designed for those aged 18 and older who are struggling with mental health concerns like impulse control disorder

Our hospital also features an adult substance abuse intensive outpatient program for individuals aged 18 and older who are battling the demon of addiction in addition to impulse control disorder. This program is designed to continue the recovery process and help patients maintain sobriety after completing inpatient services.

Lastly, San Juan Capestrano Hospital provides outpatient services at eleven different locations on the island, including San Juan, Hatillo, Mayagüez, Caguas, Humanao, Manatí, Condado, Carolina, Ponce, Bayamón, and Guaynabo. Outpatient care allows patients to process feelings and thoughts with a mental health professional on a weekly basis.

Whatever your mental healthcare needs, the staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital is devoted to helping each one of our patients overcome mental health issues or substance abuse concerns. We will do everything in our power to ensure that true healing and lasting recovery from impulse control disorders is successful obtained.