What is Kleptomania?
Kleptomania is a type of impulse control disorder and is defined as the consistent, irresistible impulse to steal items. Usually, these items are not needed or have little value. This impulse is so strong that individuals still commit theft despite knowing that they are committing an act against the law.
Individuals with kleptomania steal simply because they cannot control the urge to steal [1]. This is unlike typical shoplifters who steal for personal gain or due to rebellion or a dare. Afterwards, Kleptomaniacs typically experience guilt and shame following the act of stealing.
Individuals with kleptomania tend to begin stealing during adolescence. Importantly, you should note that kleptomania is not simply a character flaw; it is a mental disorder that requires empathy, understanding and treatment.
Symptoms of Kleptomania
- Recurrent impulses to steal
- Instances of stealing objects that are unnecessary for personal usage or for monetary gain
- Increased tension immediately before the theft
- Pleasure, gratification or relief at the time of the theft
- Thefts committed are not expressions of anger or revenge, or as a result of delusions and hallucinations [2]
Causes & Risks Factors of Kleptomania
Causes
Mental health professionals have yet to identify the exact causes of kleptomania. However, research conducted by them has demonstrated links with:
- The brain’s opioid system. This system regulates processing of affects such as pain, pleasure and reward. Kleptomaniacs may have imbalances in this system which makes it harder to resist the urge to steal
- The brain chemical serotonin which regulates moods and emotions. People prone to impulsive behaviours tend to have low levels of serotonin [3]
Risk Factors
Factors that put people at risk of kleptomania include gender, family history and the diagnosis of other mental illnesses.
Gender
In most clinical samples, two-thirds of kleptomania patients are women [4]. Thus, being female may increase one’s chances of kleptomania. Unfortunately, mental health professionals have yet to identify why this is the case.
Family History
A person may be more susceptible to kleptomania if they have first-degree relatives with mental illnesses. Particularly, obsessive-compulsive disorders and impulse-control disorders (like substance use disorder) in relatives are linked to kleptomania.
Other Mental Illnesses
Kleptomania is often comorbid with other mental disorders such as Depression, Bipolar Disorder, OCD or impulse control disorders. Hence, individuals with these disorders may also develop kleptomania [5].
Treatment of Kleptomania
Mental health professionals typically offer psychotherapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy, as the main treatment for kleptomania. Additionally, professionals may prescribe medication to help control urges to steal.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Mental health professionals commonly employ cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to treat impulse-control disorders such as kleptomania. Through this process, professionals aim to uncover the underlying thoughts and emotions driving the patient’s tendency to steal, before trying to reframe these thoughts and emotions to modify the maladaptive behaviour (stealing) [5].
Medication
Mental health professionals may prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), mood stabilisers or Naltrexone to help reduce the urge to steal in kleptomaniacs.
- SSRIs prevent the reuptake of the hormone serotonin in the brain. As experts consider serotonin a mood stabiliser, a higher amount in the brain is suggested to reduce impulsive thoughts and thus impulsive behaviour
- Professionals may also prescribe mood stabilisers such as Lithium to achieve a similar effect as SSRIs [6]
- Naltrexone: Clinical trials have shown that the drug Naltrexone is effective in reducing the impulse to steal in kleptomaniacs [7]
FAQ
1. When does kleptomania typically arise?
Researchers estimate that most kleptomaniacs typically exhibit symptoms at 17 years old. However, they also note that the age of onset for this disorder may vary widely, with some being diagnosed as early as 5 years old and some as late as 55 [8].
2. How do I support a loved one with kleptomania?
- Read up more on kleptomania to best understand why your loved one is stealing. Know that they steal not for a disregard of the rules, but rather due to an impulse beyond their control.
- Encourage them to seek help. As kleptomaniacs do not steal for any particular benefit to themselves, some might feel that their behaviour is “justified” and that they do not have to seek help. Even if their stealing is not intentional in that sense, they should still seek help as their inability to resist their impulse may still lead to guilt and depression down the line.
- Help them with their treatment plan. Show support for your loved one, be it helping them take their medication on time, helping them avoid stimuli that triggers their impulses, or simply being there for them. Knowing that someone is there for them goes a long way in helping them suppress their impulses.
3. Is kleptomania valid legal defence against theft?
There is no absolute guarantee that kleptomania will be considered a valid legal defence if a person is caught stealing. However, in most cases, judges may place the person on probation to focus on recovery [8].
