What is kleptomania?
Kleptomania is a mental disorder characterized by an uncontrolled and obsessive urge to steal.
What are the symptoms of kleptomania?
The main symptoms are:
- Powerful impulse to steal objects that are not really needed.
- Increasing tension that is relieved by stealing
- Gratification or pleasure during stealing
- Feelings of guilt or shame after the theft
What are the causes of kleptomania?
The exact cause of kleptomania is not known, but some risk factors are thought to exist:
- Problems with serotonin: this is the substance that helps regulate emotions and moods.
- Family history: having a family member with kleptomania, alcohol problems or obsessive-compulsive disorder may increase the risk.
- Other mental illnesses: people with kleptomania usually have other mental illnesses as well, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, impulse control disorders, anxiety, bipolar, substance abuse, eating disorders or personality disorders.
Brain injury or head injury
What is the treatment of kleptomania?
Kleptomania can be treated using a variety of techniques:
- Psychotherapy: cognitive-behavioral therapy helps to identify negative behaviors and thoughts for positive ones. Other therapeutic techniques may include family therapy, couples therapy or psychodynamic therapy.
- Medication: drugs such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants or opioid receptor antagonists may help to calm impulses.
- Self-help groups: they run a 12-step program to end the disorder.