Kleptomania

What is kleptomania?

Kleptomania is an impulse disorder. People who have this disorder are unable to resist an urge to steal, even though they know it is harmful. The urge makes them anxious, tense, or aroused. Only stealing gives them relief or satisfaction. They feel regret or guilt later.

Normally, people who steal take something because it is worth money or it is useful. People who have kleptomania may take something that is useless to them.

How does it occur?

Kleptomania is rare. Most people who steal or shoplift do not have this disorder.

The exact cause of this disorder is not known. It may be related to a brain chemical imbalance. Stressors such as major losses may also lead to kleptomania. Women are more likely to have kleptomania than men. The disorder may begin as early as age five.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• taking objects on impulse, without planning ahead
• repeatedly taking things that are not valuable or needed for personal use
• feeling very tense right before the theft
• feeling pleasure or relief at the time of the theft

People with this disorder do not steal because they are angry or want revenge.

Substance abuse and eating disorders are also common in people with kleptomania.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider or a mental health will ask about your symptoms and any drug or alcohol use. You may have lab tests to rule out medical problems. If you are unable to control an impulse that might be harmful to yourself or others, and have the symptoms listed above, you may be diagnosed with kleptomania.

How is it treated?

Many kinds of therapy have been used to treat this disorder, but it is not clear which one is best.

Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is a way to help you identify and change views you have of yourself, the world, and the future that are not realistic. This therapy helps you recognize unhealthy ways of thinking. You will learn new thought and behavior patterns that lead to healthier living.

Treatment may involve changing behavior with conditioning techniques. Aversive conditioning involves using negative stimuli to reduce or eliminate a behavior. In covert sensitization, you first relax and imagine stealing. Then you imagine something negative, such as getting your hand stuck in the revolving door of the store. With assisted aversive conditioning, the negative event is real rather than imagined. For example, your therapist sprays a bad smell such as ammonia in the air. The goal is for you to link your behavior with something negative and avoid both.

Several medicines can help treat kleptomania. Your healthcare provider will work with you to carefully select the best one for you.

Family therapy may also be important, since this disorder can affect families as well as the person who steals.

When should I seek help?

Legal penalties for stealing are the same no matter what the cause. If you think you might have kleptomania, seek help. A mental health therapist will discuss it confidentially with you. He or she will not have to report you to the legal system. Ask your healthcare provider for a referral.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File beha3336.htm Release 13/2010