]]>

Definition

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.

Causes

The exact cause of kleptomania is unknown. It often occurs with other psychological disorders. These include:

Frontal Lobe

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.
© 2009 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.

]]>

Risk Factors

Kleptomania appears to be more common in females than in males. There are no other known risk factors.

Symptoms

Symptoms of kleptomania include all of the following:

  • A repeated inability to resist impulses to steal things that are not of personal value
  • A feeling of relief, gratification, and/or pleasure when stealing things
  • Thefts not committed out of anger or vengeance
  • Lack of a better explanation for the theft, such as another psychological disorder

Diagnosis

Kleptomania is different from shoplifting or ordinary theft, which is:

  • Deliberate
  • Motivated by the stolen item's usefulness or monetary value
  • The result of a dare, an act of rebellion, or a rite of passage

A psychiatrist or psychologist will diagnose kleptomania when:

  • All of the symptoms of kleptomania are present
  • There is no other, better explanation for repeated thefts
  • Kleptomania is not an excuse for shoplifting or ordinary theft

Treatment

Treatment may include:

Counseling or Therapy

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:

  • Behavior modification therapy
  • Family therapy

Medications

Drugs used for treatment include:

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which raise serotonin levels in the brain:

    ***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:

    For more information, please visit: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/

  • ]]>Lithium]]> (eg, Eskalith)—This mood stabilizer balances the mood swings to prevent rapid shifts that may cause the urge to steal.
  • ]]>Trazodone]]> (eg, Desyrel, Trialodine)
  • ]]>Valproic acid]]> (eg, Depakene, Valproate, Valrelease)

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing kleptomania because the exact cause is not known.