Impulsivity

Book excerpt: Impulsivity features prominently in contemporary descriptions of many psychiatric disorders, and is also a key element in the clinical risk assessment of violence. Thoroughly examining the nature, assessment, and treatment of impulsive conduct, this up-to-date volume brings together contributions from prominent researchers and clinicians in both mental health and correctional settings. Chapters illuminate our current understanding of impulsive behavior from conceptual, legal, and biological perspectives, and address the challenges of describing and measuring it. With special emphasis on how the likelihood of future violent or destructive behavior can best be gauged in specific cases, the volume includes several newly developed risk assessment tools. Impulsivity also provides an invaluable overview of the current state of the research and delineates a broad, clinically pertinent agenda for future study. Impulsivity is an invaluable resource for clinicians working in private practice, correctional facilities, health care settings, and community-based programs. It also serves as a primary or supplementary text for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses.