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Kleptomania

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 not known. Chemical imbalances in the brain may play a role.
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.
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Risk Factors

Kleptomania often occurs with other psychological disorders. These include:
Other risk factors include:
  • Having a family history of the condition
  • Having a brain injury
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, joy, and/or pleasure when stealing things
  • Feeling of guilt or remorse after the event
  • Thefts not committed out of anger or revenge
  • 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 antidepressants, mood stabilizers, medicines to treat drug addiction, and medicines to treat seizure disorders.

Prevention

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

RESOURCES

American Psychiatric Association http://www.psych.org/

Mental Health America http://www.nmha.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Psychiatric Association http://www.cpa-apc.org/

Canadian Psychological Association http://www.cpa.ca/

References

Aboujaoude E, Gamel N, Koran L. Overview of kleptomania and phenomenological description of 40 patients. Prim Care Companion. J Clin Psychiatry . 2--4;6(6):244-247.

The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. New York, NY: Columbia University Press; 2001.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 1994.

Kuzma JM, Black DW. Compulsive disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep . 2004 Feb;6(1):58-65.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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