Stop Me Because I Can't Stop Myself : Taking Control of Impulsive Behavior [Hardcover]

Jon E. Grant (Author), S. W. Kim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2002

This volume is based on research which has led to new discoveries about impulse control and new ways of treating the problem. Drs Jon Grant and S. W. Kim are specialists in impulse-control disorders and their pioneering work at the University of Minnesota, where they conduct their clinical research, has attracted patients from all over the world and the attention of the American Psychiatric Association and The Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation. This book aims to offer new help and hope to people who suffer from impulse control. The authors begin by defining the nature of this widely misunderstood problem, its neurobiological origins and how it differs from Tourette's syndrome, alcohol addiction and other substance-abuse problems. From there, they offer help to impulse-control sufferers and their families, including: how to know if you have a problem; forms of impulse-control disorders; the impact of these disorders on everyday life - at work, at home, legal problems, alcohol and drug use, and suicide; impulse-control problems in children and adolescents, as well as the elderly; medical and pharmacological treatments; therapy and other treatments; what doesn't work; and what family, friends and patients themselves can do.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

New hope for people whose impulses are out of control

Millions of Americans have secret problems: the man whose craving to gamble drives him to spend night after night in casinos, getting deeper in debt . . . the woman who can't stop shopping, hiding bills from her husband and racking up thousands on her credit cards . . . the teenager who compulsively steals until, 40 years later, she is finally arrested for shoplifting. Every day, people struggle with irresistible urges that can damage lives, families, and careers. Yet ashamed of the behavior and the inability to control it, many suffer in silence, too embarrassed to seek help.

Now, Drs. Jon E. Grant and S. W. Kim, the nation's leading specialists in impulse control disorders, offer the latest research and practical help for those who engage in all types of impulse-related behaviors. With compelling firsthand stories, analyses of groundbreaking new treatments, and deep empathy for people affected by these behaviors, the authors present a powerful and pioneering self-help guide that provides answers to these and other essential questions:

• What are impulse control disorders?
• How do I know if I or someone I care about has an impulse control disorder?
• Why are some people more impulsive than others?
• What medical and therapeutic treatments are available?
• Where can I find help?

The first of its kind, this authoritative guide breaks the silence that has surrounded a long-misunderstood illness, providing much-needed help for the millions who experience impulse control behaviors and those who love them.

Pathological gambling . . . Compulsive shopping . . . Kleptomania . . . Compulsive sexual behavior . . .

We all engage in behaviors we know aren't good for us--buying too many lottery tickets, treating ourselves to an expensive item we know we can't afford, or taking the towels home from the hotel to remember a vacation. For most of us, behaviors such as these are fleeting fancies, but for many people, such urges--to gamble, shop, steal, and more--can be consuming. Day after day, millions of Americans struggle with irresistible impulses that can affect both their family and career life.

For years, impulse control problems remained invisible in the public consciousness while countless people suffered in silence. Now, in this one-of-a-kind guide, the nation's leading specialists in impulse control disorders bring the problem to light. Filled with in-depth case studies, practical questionnaires that allow you to identify these disorders, and invaluable information on the latest treatments, this book offers new hope for those engaging in these behaviors and the people who love them.

"Nearly everyone has a friend, relative, or acquaintance whose life is touched by an impulse control disorder. . . . We wrote this book to provide understanding and help for those who suffer from, and for those who treat, impulse control disorders."--from the Introduction

About the Author

Dr. Jon Grant and Dr. Suck Won Kim direct the Impulse Control Disorders Clinic at the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry. Their patient population includes people suffering from pathological gambling disorder, kleptomania, compulsive shopping, compulsive sexual behavior, skin picking, and trichotillomania. Dr. Grant and Kim have conducted some of the pioneering work in the pharmacotherapy of pathological gambling and compulsive shopping. They have been asked to present their work at numerous medical conferences, including the annual meetings of the American Psychiatric Association and the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation. Their work on pathological gambling has also been featured in local as well as national and international news publications. Dr. Grant, lead author, received his J.D. from Cornell University, his M.D. from Brown University, and an advanced degree in public health from Harvard University. He has been interviewed by numerous news agencies including National Public Radio, the BBC, and USA Today. His work has even drawn the attention of Jay Leno and Saturday Night Live. Dr. Grant will be featured in an HBO special on stealing to be aired in fall 2001, in which he will discuss the problem of kleptomania, legal implications of this illness, and his work treating this disorder.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (November 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071398260
• ISBN-13: 978-0071398268
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book saved my life!, November 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Stop Me Because I Can't Stop Myself : Taking Control of Impulsive Behavior (Hardcover)

I have been searching for help my entire life. Having had lifelong problems with impulse control I have problems with relationships and even trouble with authorities occaisionally. No one would take me seriously labling me as weak or of low moral character. Having heard Dr Grant on television and radio speaking wih such empathy for Winona Ryder I new he could help me. I bought his book the instant it came out. I was imediately able to apply his techniques to my own life. I really feel I have taken control of my life for the first time. The book is so well written, full of keen insight and examples drawn from Dr Grant's clinical practice. It is about time someone took my problems seriously.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Those Seeking Help for a Compulsive Disorder, November 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Stop Me Because I Can't Stop Myself : Taking Control of Impulsive Behavior (Hardcover)

An excellent examination of a poorly understood disorder. Few of us are able to distinguish between compulsive behavior and criminal acts. However, Dr.s Grant and Kim clearly show that people who suffer from compulsive urges are struggling with behavior they cannot control. This book is a comprehensive review of every aspect of the compulsive behaviors associated with uncontrollable urges to gamble, shop, steal, and have sex. Both those suffering from uncontrollable urges and their family and friends will benefit from the authors explanations of how to identify a compulsive disorder, possible causes and treatments, and resources for finding help. This was the first book I've found that focuses on the patient's own stories. Throughout the book I was struck by the authors' deep compassion for their patients and join their call to all doctors to familiarize themselves with the characteristics and current treatments for compulsive disorders. Just as many people have benefitted from the treatments described in this book, I am hopeful that a friend of mine will also regain health and happiness by reading this book. It may even save her life. This study also has important implications for the examination of other compulsive disorders and how we may be able to help many others take back control of their lives.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-Changing Information, October 7, 2010

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stop Me Because I Can't Stop Myself : Taking Control of Impulsive Behavior (Paperback)

Every year I read a few books which I would consider life changing and this is one of them. Impulse control disorders have been around for a long time but they are still difficult to treat. A patient may have to go on several medications before the right one is discovered. If you or someone you love has problems with gambling, compulsive shopping, kleptomania (stealing) or compulsive sexual behavior this book may offer hope and a real solution to these problems.

To be honest, I bought this book because I'm on a low-carb diet and I thought it might have some solutions for carb cravings. I wanted the magic formula to appear and solve my current issues with dieting. I seem to do well for a week and then I give in to a carb craving which then sets me back a few days and makes me lose less weight. While this book does not really discuss dieting I think it should.

I did find the sections on compulsive shopping to be very interesting because I used to have a problem that was solved by cutting up my credit cards. For me the solution was simple and I was able to stop, but for some people the urge to shop is overwhelming. They must shop daily. I'll admit there is a certain high that goes with charging stuff on a credit card. The problem is paying off that card or maybe two or three cards if not more. Some of the people featured in this book were overwhelmed by credit card debt and felt guilty and out of control. Thankfully there are some solutions that work. This book explains what medications work for each particular problem.

The problem with many of these impulse control disorders is that people start to feel helpless to control themselves and end up trying to kill themselves. Reading this book gave me a complete sense of compassion for anyone struggling with these disorders. It is quite possible that you know someone who has one of the disorders discussed in this book. I personally know someone who has trouble with gambling and so I'm going to send them this book immediately! When you spend almost your entire paycheck on gambling something is definitely amiss. A lot of people discussed in this book ruined their marriages and lost all their friends because of gambling.

So dealing with an impulse control disorder is a real challenge and finally there is a book that describes exactly what someone goes through on a daily basis. I'd highly recommend this book to everyone interested in psychology. This should be required reading for family physicians, psychologists, counselors, social workers and psychiatrists. If you or someone you love is struggling with an impulse control disorder I'd highly recommend this book! There is hope and there are many solutions. Reading this book could save your life or the life of someone you love.

~ The Rebecca Review