Kleptomania - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Kleptomania is an inability or great difficulty in resisting impulses of stealing. Kleptomania is a strong desire 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. Kleptomania should be distinguished from shoplifting, in which the action is usually well-planned and motivated by need or monetary gain. There is also some association with other disorders such as depression and anxiety. Kleptomania involves the failure to resist impulses to steal things that are not needed for either personal use or for their monetary value. There is typically anxiety prior to the act of theft and relief or gratification afterward. If the theft is related to vengeance or psychosis, kleptomania should not be diagnosed. (Kleptomania is quite rare, where common shoplifting is not). Kleptomania is distinguished from shoplifting or ordinary theft , as shoplifters and thieves generally steal for monetary value, or associated gains and usually display intent or premeditation, while people with kleptomania aren't necessarily contemplating the value of the items they steal or even the theft until they are compulsed. Most person's with this disorder seem to be women; their average age is about 35 and the duration of illness is roughly 16 years. Kleptomania has several different treatments. Behavior modification therapy and family therapy may be used to treat kleptomaniacs. Some medications that are used of kleptomania such as fluoxetine , fluvoxamine , paroxetine , sertraline , lithium , trazodone and Valproate.

Causes of Kleptomania

Common causes and risk factors of Kleptomania

• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• Substance abuse ( alcoholism or drug abuse ).
• Eating disorders ( anorexia or bulimia ).
• Other impulse control disorders.

Signs and Symptoms of Kleptomania

Sign and symptoms of Kleptomania

• Repeatedly taking things that are not valuable or needed for personal use
• Feeling increased tension right before the theft
• Thefts are not committed as a result of delusions, hallucinations or as acts of revenge or anger
• Feeling pleasure or relief at the time of the theft
• The stealing is not committed to express anger or vengeance.

Treatment of Kleptomania

Common Treatment of Kleptomania

• Kleptomania has several different treatments. Behavior modification therapy
• Family therapy may be used to treat kleptomaniacs.
• Some medications that are used for people diagnosed with kleptomania (fluoxetine , fluvoxamine , paroxetine , sertraline , lithium , trazodone and Valproate ).
• Other treatment approaches involve seeing the theft as an unconscious process and analyzing it as such may assist in gaining insight and eventually extinguishing the behavior.