Overview
Kleptomania is a rare mental health disorder characterized by repeated inability to resist impulses to steal items, regardless of their value or necessity. It is classified as an impulse control disorder and can lead to significant emotional distress, legal problems, and other complications. The exact causes of kleptomania are not clear, and there is no known prevention method. However, early treatment can help mitigate the severity of the condition and its consequences. If you suspect a loved one has kleptomania, it's essential to approach the topic with empathy and understanding, emphasizing the availability of treatments that can help manage the symptoms.
Understanding the disease
Symptoms
The symptoms of kleptomania include the inability to resist powerful urges to steal items that one doesn't need, feeling increased tension, anxiety, or arousal leading up to the theft, feeling pleasure, relief, or satisfaction while stealing, feeling terrible guilt, remorse, self-loathing, shame, or fear of arrest after the theft, and the return of the urges and a repetition of the kleptomania cycle.
Risk Factors
Kleptomania risk factors may include a family history of kleptomania or addictive disorders and having another mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, or a substance use disorder.
Development
Kleptomania typically begins during the teen years or in young adulthood, although it can start later. The risk factors for kleptomania may include having a family history of kleptomania or addictive disorders, as well as having another mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, or a substance use disorder. Kleptomania can lead to severe emotional, family, work, legal, and financial problems if left untreated. Treatments are available to help minimize the urge to steal and live without addiction and shame. The exact causes of kleptomania are not known, but it may be linked to problems with the brain chemical serotonin and learned patterns of stealing.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Triage
If you can't stop shoplifting or stealing, you should seek medical advice. Many people who may have kleptomania don't want to seek treatment because they're afraid they'll be arrested or jailed, but a mental health provider usually doesn't report your thefts to authorities.
Diagnosis
To diagnose kleptomania, you will likely undergo a physical exam and a psychological evaluation. Your mental health provider will ask questions about your impulses and how they make you feel, review your history to identify situations that trigger kleptomania episodes, and discuss any problems caused by your behavior. They may also have you fill out questionnaires or self-assessments and use the guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Management and Treatment
Complications
Kleptomania can result in severe emotional, family, work, legal, and financial problems if left untreated. Complications may include guilt, shame, self-loathing, humiliation, and even arrest for stealing. Other potential complications and conditions associated with kleptomania may include:
- Other impulse-control disorders, such as compulsive gambling or shopping
- Alcohol or other substance misuse
- Personality disorders
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors It's important to seek treatment as soon as possible to manage the symptoms and prevent worsening of the condition and negative consequences.
Treatment
Treatments for kleptomania include medication and therapy. Medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can help regulate serotonin levels in the brain, which may reduce impulsive behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that can help individuals identify and change problematic thought patterns and behaviors related to kleptomania. Additionally, support groups and self-help strategies can also be beneficial for those struggling with kleptomania. It is important to consult with a mental health professional for personalized treatment recommendations.
Preparing for medical consultation
To prepare for an appointment for kleptomania, you should:
- Make a list of symptoms: Note down any symptoms you're experiencing, their duration, and the situations that trigger them.
- Gather personal information: Prepare a list of key personal information, including any traumatic events in your past and current, major stressors.
- Take a trusted companion: Consider bringing a family member or friend who can help remember details and share information with the mental health provider that you might forget. At the appointment, be honest with your health care provider about your symptoms, and expect a physical exam and a psychological evaluation. The mental health provider may ask questions about your impulses, review your history, and use the guidelines in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to help diagnose kleptomania. Treatment for kleptomania typically involves medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Be open to trying different types of treatment to find what works best for you, and discuss potential side effects or interactions with your health care provider or pharmacist.