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You are quite right, there is a big difference between OCD and Impulse Control Disorders. Even if the symptoms can sound similar, the big difference is a person with OCD typically does not act on their obsessions – compulsions may be performed to prevent the obsession from happening. A person with an Impulse Control Disorder does act on their impulse.
That being said recent studies have shown that there is a large comorbidity between Impulse Control Disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders and others. So, someone could have OCD and an Impulse Control Disorder or impulse issues that are actually different from the OCD
Impulse Control Disorders fall into six different psychiatric categories: Intermittent Explosive Disorder (out of control anger), Trichotillomania (hair pulling), Kleptomania (stealing), Pyromania (setting fires), Pathological Gambling, and Not Otherwise Specified (i.e. skin picking). Tourette disorder (compulsive tics) is also involves impulse control problems.
Sincerely,
Dr. Williams
Monnica T. Williams, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology
No Cost OCD Treatment: http://www.ocdproject.org