Kleptomania is the inability to resist impulses to steal. The things that are stolen are not needed for personal use. They are also not taken for their monetary value. This is a rare condition.
The exact cause of kleptomania is unknown. It often occurs with other psychological disorders. These include:
Kleptomania appears to be more common in females than in males. There are no other known risk factors.
Symptoms of kleptomania include all of the following:
Kleptomania is different from shoplifting or ordinary theft, which is:
A psychiatrist or psychologist will diagnose kleptomania when:
Treatment may include:
Counseling 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:
Drugs used for treatment include:
***Please note FDA Public Health Advisory for Antidepressants:
The FDA advises that people taking antidepressants should be closely observed. For some, the medications have been linked to worsening symptoms and suicidal thoughts. These adverse effects are most common in young adults. The effects tend to occur at the beginning of treatment or when there is an increase or decrease in the dose. Although the warning is for all antidepressants, of most concern are the SSRI class such as:
RESOURCES:
American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org/
Cleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous (CASA)
http://www.shopliftersanonymous.com/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org/
Canadian Psychological Association
http://www.cpa.ca/cpasite/home.asp/
References:
The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. Columbia University Press; 2001.
Department of Psychiatry. University of Minnesota Medical School website. Available at: http://www.psychiatry.umn.edu/.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 1994.
Kleptomania. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kleptomania/DS01034/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs . Updated: October 2007. Accessed February 23, 2009.
Last reviewed January 2009 by Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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