Kleptomania
by Rick Alan
Definition
Kleptomania is the inability to resist impulses to steal. The things that are stolen are not needed for personal use. They are also not taken for their monetary value. This is a rare condition.
Causes
The exact cause of kleptomania is not known. Chemical imbalances in the brain may play a role.
Frontal Lobe
Psychological disorders are sometimes the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. The frontal lobe of the brain is thought to provide impulse control.
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Risk Factors
Kleptomania often occurs with other psychological disorders. These include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Substance abuse (eg, alcoholism, drug abuse)
- Eating disorders (eg, anorexia, bulimia)
- Other impulse control disorders
Other risk factors include:
- Having a family history of the condition
- Having a brain injury
Kleptomania appears to be more common in females than in males. There are no other known risk factors.
Symptoms
Symptoms of kleptomania include all of the following:
- A repeated inability to resist impulses to steal things that are not of personal value
- A feeling of relief, joy, and/or pleasure when stealing things
- Feeling of guilt or remorse after the event
- Thefts not committed out of anger or revenge
- Lack of a better explanation for the theft, such as another psychological disorder
Diagnosis
Kleptomania is different from shoplifting or ordinary theft, which is:
- Deliberate
- Motivated by the stolen item's usefulness or monetary value
- The result of a dare, an act of rebellion, or a rite of passage
A psychiatrist or psychologist will diagnose kleptomania when:
- All of the symptoms of kleptomania are present
- There is no other, better explanation for repeated thefts
- Kleptomania is not an excuse for shoplifting or ordinary theft
Treatment
Treatment may include:
Counseling or Therapy
Counseling or therapy may be in a group or one-to-one setting. It is usually aimed at dealing with underlying psychological problems that may be contributing to kleptomania. It may also include:
- Behavior modification therapy
- Family therapy
Medications
Drugs used for treatment include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, medicines to treat drug addiction, and medicines to treat seizure disorders.
RESOURCES:
American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org/
Mental Health America
http://www.nmha.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org/
Canadian Psychological Association
http://www.cpa.ca/
REFERENCES:
Aboujaoude E, Gamel N, Koran L. Overview of kleptomania and phenomenological description of 40 patients. Prim Care Companion. J Clin Psychiatry . 2--4;6(6):244-247.
The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. New York, NY: Columbia University Press; 2001.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 1994.
Kuzma JM, Black DW. Compulsive disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep . 2004 Feb;6(1):58-65.
Last reviewed November 2012 by Brian Randall, MD
Last Updated: 11/26/2012