![]() ![]() Possible explanationsįrom a psychoanalytic perspective, kleptomania is seen as possibly representing sexual repression (although is there anything Freud wouldn’t link to sexual repression?) or trying to repossess childhood losses. A combination of medication and psychotherapy may be the most effective. Psychotherapy is also used to treat the condition. These are all used off-label, as the FDA hasn’t approved any medication specifically for use in kleptomania. Atypical antipsychotics may be helpful as an add-on to SSRIs, although this hasn’t been clearly established. TreatmentĪ variety of medications have shown some benefits in kleptomania, including SSRI antidepressants, naltrexone (used to decrease cravings in addictions), and the mood stabilizer/antiepileptic topiramate. Often people will have certain triggers, either internal or environmental, for their urges to steal. It usually begins in adolescence, and it’s two to three times as common in females than in males. The condition is likely under-diagnosed, as people are often too embarrassed to seek treatment. In terms of family history, people with kleptomania are more likely to have a family history of alcoholism. Kleptomania is rare, only occurring in about 0.6% of the population, although it appears to be more common among people with another psychiatric condition, particularly mood, anxiety, or substance use disorders. Most people with kleptomania feel shame and guilt after completing a theft. It’s not an issue of morality, in the same sense that OCD compulsive behaviours don’t come from moral flaws or weaknesses. Unlike someone with antisocial personality disorder who might steal based on a lack of regard for others, the urges to steal in kleptomania are experienced as ego-dystonic, meaning the person finds the urges distressing and wishes they didn’t have them. the theft is not due to anger, seeking vengeance, psychosis, mania, antisocial personality, or other conditions.there are feelings of pleasure or gratification while committing the theft.there is a sense of building tension immediately before the theft.recurrent failure at resisting impulses to steal items that are neither needed nor taken for their monetary value.In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), kleptomania falls in the category of “disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders”, along with pyromania, conduct disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder. ![]() It wasn’t a condition I had anything more than passing familiarity with, but it came up in a conversation with a fellow blogger, so I wanted to take a closer look. Yes, kleptomania is actually a legitimate psychiatric condition. stealing) with discomfort or mildly painful behaviors (e.g.In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychology-related terms. Aversion Therapy: Repeated pairing of unwanted behavior (e.g.Imaginal Desensitization: Imagining to not act on strong urges to steal.Covert Sensitization: Imagining act and possible consequences of stealing.CBT is especially effective for impulse control disorders as it helps us to better understand why these impulses happen and what are some better ways to cope with the anxiety and discomfort when having the urge to steal. Kleptomania is typically treated with behavioural therapy, psychoanalytic oriented psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), pharmacotherapy or a combination of pharmacotherapy and a behavioural therapy. Encourage seeking professional (can be effectively treated with therapy).being arrested, loss of job, or damages to interpersonal relationships) Express worry about risks of compulsive stealing (e.g.Approach calmly and raise concern for well-being.Knowing Someone that May have Kleptomania Return of the urges and repetition of the kleptomania cycle.Feelings of guilt, shame or remorse after theft.Feeling pleasure or relief while stealing.Feeling increased anxiety, tension, and arousal leading up to the theft.Act of stealing is not for anger or vengeance.Failure to resist urges to steal items that one does not need.Shoplifting/Theft: Items are used for personal gains Kleptomania: Items may be donated, hidden, or returned secretly Shoplifting/Theft: Prior planning and possible help/collaboration with others Kleptomania: Act of stealing is unplanned and occurs when impulses are triggered Shoplifting/Theft: Items have monetary or personal value Kleptomania: Items stolen are not for personal gain/revenge/rebellion Kleptomania is categorised as an impulse control disorder, and may often occur together with other mental disorders such as anxiety and eating disorders. Those experiencing kleptomania would experience the inability to resist impulses to steal objects, even though the items are of no personal monetary value or personal use. ![]()
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