What is Kleptomania?
Those with kleptomania experience increasing tension before the theft and feel pleasure, gratification or relief when stealing. The stolen items are often given away, returned surreptitiously or hidden away. Kleptomania is relatively rare, affecting less than 5% of the population. It frequently co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse.
Signs and symptoms
The core symptoms of kleptomania include:
Recurrent failure to resist impulses to steal objects that are unnecessary and of little value
Escalating a sense of tension immediately before committing the theft
Pleasure, gratification or relief at the time of stealing
The stealing is not motivated by personal use or financial gain
The stealing causes significant distress, impaired functioning or legal problems
While ordinary thieves seek to profit from the theft, kleptomaniacs feel compelled to steal for the act itself. The condition is classified as an impulse control disorder.
Treatments
Treatments combine psychotherapy, behaviour modification, and medications:
Chronic, exaggerated worry about everyday life events like work, health, family, and finances
Exposure and response prevention therapy helps tolerate urges without acting
12-step programs that provide peer support
Medications like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs help manage psychiatric issues
Opioid antagonists may reduce cravings and addictive behavior