Kleptomania
by
Rick Alan DefinitionKleptomania is the inability to resist impulses to steal. The things that are stolen are not needed for personal use or their monetary value. This is a rare condition. CausesThe exact cause of kleptomania is not known. Chemical imbalances in the brain may play a role.
Risk FactorsKleptomania appears to be more common in females than in males. Kleptomania often occurs with other psychological disorders. These include:
Other factors that may increase your risk include:
SymptomsSymptoms of kleptomania include all of the following:
DiagnosisKleptomania is different from shoplifting or ordinary theft, which is:
A psychiatrist or psychologist will diagnose kleptomania when:
TreatmentTreatment may involve treating an underlying disease. Other treatments include: Counseling or TherapyCounseling or therapy may be in a group or one-to-one setting. It is usually aimed at dealing with underlying psychological problems that may be contributing to kleptomania. It may also include:
Stress reduction techniques, including medicine, yoga, or tai chi, may also be taught in therapy. MedicationsDrugs used for treatment include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, medicines to treat drug addiction, and medicines to treat seizure disorders. PreventionThere are no current guidelines to prevent kleptomania because the cause is not known. RESOURCES:American Psychiatric Association https://www.psychiatry.org Mental Health America http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Mental Health Association https://cmha.ca Canadian Psychiatric Association http://www.cpa-apc.org References:Aboujaoude E, Gamel N, Koran L. Overview of kleptomania and phenomenological description of 40 patients.
Prim Care Companion. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;6(6):244-247. The Columbia Encyclopedia.
6th ed. New York, NY: Columbia University Press; 2001. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Association; 2013. Kuzma JM, Black DW. Compulsive disorders.
Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2004;6(1):58-65. Last reviewed September 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Adrian Preda, MD Last Updated: 9/2/2020 |
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