Back to Brain Skills

Impulse Control

Pause, evaluate, then act.

What It Is

Impulse control (inhibitory control) is the ability to pause an automatic response long enough to choose a more deliberate one.

Why It Matters

It underlies things like waiting your turn, not blurting out the first thought that comes to mind, and resisting a tempting shortcut in favour of a better long-term choice.

How ADHD May Affect It

This is one of the more well-established areas of difference in ADHD research — the automatic "pause" step can be shorter or less reliable, which isn't a character flaw, it's a difference in how the brain's braking system engages.

Everyday Example

Meaning to just check one notification, then noticing twenty minutes later that you never came back to what you were doing.

More Brain Skills