KLEPTOMANIA

Kleptomania - an impulse-control disorder characterized by repeated stealing of objects not needed for personal use or for their intrinsic value, with emotional tension before the commission of a theft, followed by pleasure, gratification, or relief after its completion, the behavior being generally experienced as ego-dystonic. (http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O87-kleptomania.html)

These patients have an irresistible inclination to steal. Often they throw away the stolen goods, as they are mostly interested in the stealing itself. Kleptomania is distinguished from shoplifting because shoplifters plan stealing of objects and usually steal because they do not have money to purchase the items. Occasionally the individual may hoard the stolen objects or surreptitiously return them. Although someone with this disorder will generally avoid stealing when immediate arrest is probable (such as in full view of a police officer), they usually do not plan the thefts or fully take into account the chances of apprehension. The stealing is done without collaboration with others.

Signs of kleptomania include:
· Recurrent failure to resist stealing impulses unrelated to personal use or financial need
· Feeling increased tension right before the theft
· Thefts are not committed in response to delusions, hallucinations or as expressions of revenge or anger
· Feeling pleasure, gratification or relief at the time of the theft
· Thefts cannot be better explained by Antisocial Personality Disorder, Conduct Disorder or a Manic Episode
(http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/klepto.html)

Kleptomania is more often in females that in males. It is difficult to document the precise number of people with this problem. Often people with this disorder have another psychiatric disorder. Depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse disorders are common in individuals with kleptomania. Treatment is different. It can be in group, or one-on-one setting. To overcome kleptomania therapist can use behavior modification therapy, family therapy. Some medications that are used for people diagnosed with kleptomania are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, mood stabilizers and opiate antagonists

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