Kleptomania: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Kleptomania is characterized by an excessive, uncontrollable desire to steal things. People with this illness know that stealing is wrong and might get them in trouble, yet they are powerless to resist.

Because they lack restraint, willpower, or other attributes, kleptomaniacs don't steal. Instead, it is a physiological condition that makes it impossible for someone to resist their want to steal. As a result of their theft, kleptomaniacs typically feel tension, embarrassment, or remorse. By returning items, giving them to charities, or paying for them later, many people try to make up for this guilt.

Causes Of Kleptomania

It is unknown what causes kleptomania. Numerous hypotheses contend that kleptomania may be caused by alterations in the brain and that learned patterns of theft exacerbate the condition over time. Kleptomania may be related to:

• Issues with serotonin, a naturally occurring brain neurotransmitter. A chemical called serotonin helps control moods and emotions. People prone to impulsive behaviors frequently have low serotonin levels.
• Addictive disorders. Another neurotransmitter, dopamine, may be released as a result of theft. Some people seek out these rewarding emotions again because dopamine produces pleasant feelings.
• Opioid system in the brain. The opioid system in the brain controls the occurrence of urges. This system may be out of balance, which would make it more difficult to control desires.
• Learned behavior. Urges can be really uncomfortable. The brief alleviation from these desires and decrease in anguish are the results of giving in to them by stealing. As a result, it becomes challenging to quit the habit.

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Symptoms Of Kleptomania

An overwhelming urge or impulse to steal something is the main symptom of kleptomania. That frequently contains at least one of the following:

• Items are stolen without any reason and not because they are needed or because they are valued.
• A person feels tension or suspicious before they steal, and they feel happiness, relief, or other positive emotions right after.
• Most kleptomaniacs suffer remorse, embarrassment, or regret when the pleasant feelings subside.
• Some people donate stolen things to organizations, give them to others, or throw away the merchandise. Less frequently, someone will hoard stolen items, give them back clandestinely, or give them back and pay for them.
• Kleptomaniacs steal unintentionally and alone. The majority of married kleptomaniacs hide their behavior from their spouses.

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Risk Factors Of Kleptomania

Kleptomania is a rare disorder. Kleptomania, however, may not always be recognized. Some people never receive medical attention. Other people are jailed after several thefts.

Although kleptomania can strike at any moment, it usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. About two-thirds of kleptomaniacs are female. Risk factors for kleptomania could be:

• Family background- If a blood relative such as a parent or sibling has an addiction disorder or kleptomania, the risk of developing the condition may be raised.
• Having another mental illness-  A substance use disorder, anxiety, melancholy, or other mental diseases are frequently co-occurring in kleptomaniacs.

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Diagnosis Of Kleptomania

Your symptoms will be used to make a kleptomania diagnosis. You might get both a medical examination and a psychological assessment if you choose to seek therapy for potential kleptomania symptoms. The physical examination might identify any medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Because kleptomania is a form of impulse control problem, your mental health professional may:

• Ask yourself questions about your impulses and how they make you feel.
• Examine a list of circumstances to determine if any of them cause you to experience kleptomania attacks.
• Talk about the issues you've encountered as a result of this behavior.

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Treatment Of Kleptomania

There is no definitive way of treating kleptomania, and there is little information on the most effective therapies. This is partially due to the fact that people with kleptomania rarely seek therapy on their own, making it more difficult to conduct research on potential treatments.

The two primary groups of therapies are as follows:

• Medication: One of the first-line treatments is the use of opioid antagonists, which prevent the effects of opioid medicines. They are effective, according to a study. These drugs prevent the pleasurable feelings associated with theft, which may help a person resist the impulse to steal. Antidepressants, anti-seizure medicines, or lithium are some additional potential medications.
• Psychotherapy: Also known as behavioral therapy or mental health therapy, this usually means assisting a person in understanding the reasons behind their behavior before assisting them in coming up with solutions to modify or stop the behavior. Kleptomania psychotherapy can take many different forms, including hypnosis, group therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

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Complications Of Kleptomania

If left untreated, kleptomania can lead to major emotional, familial, professional, legal, and financial issues. For instance, you may know that stealing is wrong yet still feel powerless to resist the temptation. As a result, you could feel guilty, ashamed, self-conscious, and humiliated. You may also be imprisoned for theft. If not for your obsessive stealing, you might lead a law-abiding life and find it confusing and upsetting.

The following disorders and problems may also be linked to kleptomania:

• Other problems of impulse control, such as compulsive buying or gambling
• Abuse of other drugs or alcohol
• Psychological problems
• Disorders of eating
• Depression
• Bipolar illness
• Anxiety disorders
• Suicidal thoughts and behavior

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