Loading icon
Health Information Center

Kleptomania

Authors:
  • Amy Scholten, MPH
Publication Type:

Condition

Kleptomania

Definition

Kleptomania is an overwhelming urge to steal. The things stolen are not needed for personal use or value. This is a rare condition.

Treatment may help.

Causes

The cause of kleptomania is unknown. Chemical imbalances in the brain may play a role.

Frontal Lobe.

Psychological disorders are sometimes the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. The frontal lobe of the brain is thought to provide impulse control.

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Frontal lobehttp://services.epnet.com/getimage.aspx?imageiid=73017301si2120.jpgsi2120.jpgNULLjpgsi2120.jpgNULL\\hgfiler01a\intellect\images\si2120.jpgNULL74NULL2008-11-073744007301_11723Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Risk Factors

Kleptomania appears to be more common in females than in males.

This condition often occurs with other mental health problems. These include:

Other things that may raise the risk are:

Symptoms

Kleptomania differs from regular theft. The person does not steal on purpose. Symptoms are:

  • Repeated theft of things that are not of use
  • Relief or pleasure when stealing
  • Guilt or remorse after stealing
  • Theft is not due to anger or personal gain
  • Thefts are not explained by other disorders

Diagnosis

A mental health doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. Kleptomania is diagnosed when:

  • A person has all the symptoms
  • There is no better reason for repeated thefts
  • Shoplifting or regular theft is ruled out

Treatment

The goal is to stop the behavior. Underlying problems may also need treatment. Options may be:

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent kleptomania.

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Antidepressant medication overview. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/drug-review/antidepressant-medication-overview.
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
  • Shoplifting and suicide. Dana Foundation website. Available at: https://www.dana.org/article/shoplifting-and-suicide.
  • Zhang ZH, Huang FR, et al. Kleptomania: recent advances in symptoms, etiology and treatment. Curr Med Sci. 2018;38(5):937-940.

Contributors

  • Adrian Preda, MD
Last Updated:
2022-09-01

(C) Copyright 2022 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.