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Kleptomania is a mental health disorder characterized by the repeated inability to resist urges to steal items that are generally not needed. The stolen items often have little value, and the person affected could afford to buy them. Kleptomania is rare but can be a serious condition, causing emotional pain to the individual and their loved ones, and potentially leading to legal problems if left untreated.
Kleptomania is classified as an impulse control disorder, meaning it involves difficulties with emotional or behavioral self-control. Those with this disorder struggle to resist the temptation or powerful urge to perform an act that may be excessive or harmful to themselves or others.
Treatment for kleptomania may include medication or skill-building therapy that focuses on dealing with urges to help break the cycle of compulsive stealing. Although there's no cure for kleptomania, seeking appropriate treatment can aid in managing the condition.
Kleptomania symptoms may include an inability to resist powerful urges to steal items not needed, increased tension, anxiety, or arousal leading up to the theft, pleasure or relief while stealing, and feelings of guilt, remorse, self-loathing, shame, or fear of arrest after the theft. The cycle of kleptomania may involve the return of urges and repetition of stealing episodes.
People with kleptomania typically have specific features or characteristics, such as stealing without personal gain or premeditation, stealing from public places or acquaintances, stashing away stolen items, and experiencing varying intensities of urges over time.
If you find yourself unable to stop shoplifting or stealing, it's essential to seek medical advice. Many people with kleptomania may be hesitant to seek treatment due to fear of arrest or legal consequences, but mental health providers generally don't report thefts to authorities.
Seek medical help if you're concerned about getting caught, have legal problems related to stealing, or have already been arrested and are required to seek treatment.
If you suspect a loved one may have kleptomania, approach them with care and understanding, emphasizing your concern for their health and well-being and the potential risks of compulsive stealing. Treatments are available to help minimize the urge to steal and address issues related to addiction and shame.
The exact causes of kleptomania are not known, but several theories suggest that changes in the brain and learned patterns of stealing may play a role in the development of this disorder. Research indicates a possible link to problems with serotonin and dopamine neurotransmitters, the brain's opioid system, and the formation of strong habits.
Kleptomania risk factors may include a family history of the disorder or addictive disorders, as well as coexisting mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders.
Untreated kleptomania can lead to severe emotional, family, work, legal, and financial problems. The affected person may experience feelings of guilt, shame, self-loathing, and humiliation due to their compulsive stealing. Additionally, kleptomania may be associated with other impulse-control disorders, substance misuse, personality disorders, eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Since the exact causes of kleptomania are unclear, prevention methods are not well-defined. Seeking treatment as soon as compulsive stealing behaviors begin may help prevent the condition from worsening and mitigate some of the negative consequences associated with it.
