Kleptomania

Alternative Names

kleptomania

What is Kleptomania

Kleptomania is a serious mental health disorder characterizing by emotional pain to you and your family. It is the irresistible desire to steal things. In reality, you generally do not need these things and they usually have little value.

Kleptomaniacs cannot resist the temptation to perform an act that's harmful to you or someone else.

Many people with kleptomania experience a shame because they are afraid of the treatment.

Signs and symptoms

There are 5 the most serious symptoms of kleptomania:

• An intense desire to steal is the most prevalent symptom. Kleptomaniacs do not need the things they steal. They often steal such things as paper clips, pens, flowers, spoons or pencils. Kleptomaniacs are usually anxious, restless, stressed and tense. They steal in order to calm themselves.
• A feeling of relief, fear or anxiety after stealing. Most kleptomaniacs feel a sense of relief or even calm after stealing. But some of them may have such symptoms as guilt, remorse, fear and self-loathing. All kleptomaniacs think that their condition is uncontrollable, therefore the cycle repeats itself sooner or later.
• Lack of malice. People with this disorder do not hold a grudge against the person they are stealing from. They do not steal for personal gain. They steal because they think it is impossible to control their urge.
• Compulsive stealing. This is one of the symptoms of kleptomania that makes it an impulse disorder. Kleptomaniacs steal regularly, mostly from public places. Some of them feel guilty after stealing, the anxiety and need for euphoria again making them repeat the act.
• Lack of conduct disorder or manic episodes. People with kleptomania do not need an accomplice, they steal a thing and leave the place. Their behavior is not antisocial.

Possible complications

Untreated kleptomania can lead to severe emotional, legal and financial problems. Many people with kleptomania have been arrested for shoplifting. Kleptomaniacs understand that stealing is wrong, but they cannot resist the temptation, they may be wracked by guilt, shame, self-loathing and humiliation.

There is a row of common complications of kleptomania:

• Arrest
• Imprisonment
• Depression
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Eating disorders
• Anxiety
• Compulsive gambling or shopping
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Social isolation

What causes

Scientists do not know the exact cause of kleptomania, although it may have a genetic component and may be inherited. There is a strong propensity for kleptomania to coexist with obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa and clinical depression.

Prevention

Because the exact cause of kleptomania is unknown, there is no definite way to prevent it. You may keep kleptomania from becoming worse or becoming a chronic condition by treating it as soon as your first compulsive stealing starts.

Treatment

Medicines

The scientists have not enough information about using psychiatric medications to treat kleptomania. However, certain medicines may be effective. The choice of medicines depends on your overall situation and other conditions you may have (depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder). The medicines which you may use in the treatment of kleptomania include:

• Antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly), paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR), fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR)
• Mood stabilizers such as lithium (Lithobid)
• Anti-seizure medications (topiramate (Topamax) and valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor))
• Addiction medications such as Naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol)
You should remember that it may take several weeks to notice any improvement. You may have to try several different medicines or combinations of medicines to see what works best for you with the fewest side effects. Discuss with your doctor the safeness of medicines.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective for kleptomaniacs. It helps them to define unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. This therapy may consist of certain techniques such as:

• Covert sensitization (you imagine yourself stealing and see negative consequences such as being caught)
• Aversion therapy (you practice mildly painful techniques such as holding your breath until you become uncomfortable when you get an urge to steal)
• Systematic desensitization (you practice relaxation techniques and imagine yourself controlling urges to steal)

You may use other effective methods of therapy such as psychodynamic therapy, family therapy or marriage counseling.