Kleptomania: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Kleptomania is a rare (around 1% and below 4% of the population as per DSM) psychological condition defined by repeatedly acting on consistent irresistible and overpowering impulse to steal items that an individual does not need. This condition is elusive and is undetected as the stolen items typically hold little value to the person and are often discarded or given away after being taken.

This is a disorder that falls under the family of impulse control disorders (ICD) which in turn is under psychiatric disorders highlighted by difficulties in controlling antisocial or aggressive impulses. Physical violence, theft, defiling property etc. are other outlets that surface in this condition and have deprecating effects on both the kleptomaniac individual and those around them. Since it is a complex and misunderstood disorder, here is a deeper look at it.

Read More: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Aim and Aftermath

The aim is generally not that of financial gain and even though the stress that caused it is generally major, it remains mysterious to observers. The thefts are risk-averse but are not generally planned out, they are also generally acted out alone. As people generally know that it is a wrong act in these cases, they commonly experience feelings of depression, guilt, shame, or stress after the thefts occur.

As a result, sometimes giving these away in charity or returning them is a coping mechanism for this action. The urge and the anxiety before stealing combined with relief during or just after are defining features of kleptomania. Kleptomania is thus distinct from ordinary theft or shoplifting, which is typically motivated by the usefulness or value of the item. It is also much more common than this disorder in the general population.

Kleptomania vs. Shoplifting

Stealing, broadly the act of taking something without permission covers both intended & dishonest criminal theft and compulsive/impulsive but unintended behaviours. When comparing kleptomania to shoplifting or theft in terms of types of items, theft is generally of personal/monetary value. A theft can be pre-planned and collaborated on, but a kleptomaniac act is generally on impulse. As noted above, items are hidden or given back/away due to guilt in kleptomania, theft generally does not imply these actions afterwards.

Symptoms

According to the DSM-5, kleptomania is when a person’s thefts cannot be better explained by a manic episode or other disorders like Antisocial Personality Disorder etc. It often involves some of the following:

• The stolen items are not items of necessity or personal/financial value.
• There’s tension, stress, and anticipation before the act as it’s not planned or collaborated on, followed by relief or satisfaction right after. These are extremely isolated experiences and near & dear ones are often uninformed.
• Negative emotions like feeling guilty, regretful or filled up with shame follow.
• The stolen items go away next. Either by throwing away, returning or in some act of charity. Another rare way is to pay for them and hoard these things.
• Uncontrolled urges to return to cycles of these activities

Causes

It has mostly been a mystery, but different neurobiological, genetic, and psychosocial factors or a combination of them can lead to kleptomania. Some causes include:

• Psychological/Mental illness driven: Stress, Substance abuse, anxiety, past trauma as a child/family linked ones, bipolar disorder, depression or other mood-based disorders, other personality disorders like obsessive-compulsive disorders etc.
• Neurobiological: abnormal brain activity, low levels of serotonin, or higher dopamine release making it impulsive and addictive as a result of concussions etc. It could also be a result of some imbalance in the opioid system of the brain or a difference in brain structure, which holds back inhibition lesser.
• Genetic / Social factors: These are not firm evidence, but cultural or environmental factors like growing up with a family history of kleptomania, addiction etc. could also be triggers.

Treatment

This is an extremely important step to take for someone who has the urge of kleptomania and seeks a way out. Although it rarely happens that someone with the disorder comes out seeking a cure on their own and since it requires the support of near and dear ones, it is not very well understood and warrants a close one to help bring it to light to someone going through this and help them. Here are some current ways this can be achieved, note that as we become more aware of the disorder through therapy and other ways, the options and effectiveness of treatments will increase –

1. Psychopharmacology:

Antidepressants and other symptom emotional imbalance suppressors have been shown to help as well as opioid antagonists or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which suppress the happiness derived just after and as a result of stealing. Since it is a sensitive regime and might not work for all kleptomaniacs, it is highly recommended to follow an expert’s recommendations and frequently follow up.

2. Therapy:

• Psychiatric: Solo or group counselling or therapy, hypnosis etc. could help in identifying causes and developing healthy workarounds, to obtain happiness outside of the disorder and also in finding triggers etc.
• CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an often practised solution to manage kleptomania. One can use Covert Systematic Sensitization or Imaginal Desensitization by helping visualise the act and the negative consequences of doing the act or practising relaxation/meditation when there is an onset of the urge. Other ways could be Aversion Therapy by attaching the unwanted urge to steal with unharmful but pain-causing activities like holding breath for slightly longer than usual.

Management and Living With Kleptomania

As it can often overlap with other mental health disorders, it can be difficult to identify kleptomania and the negative afterthoughts can increase self-harm or suicidal tendencies as well. It is thus extremely necessary to have constant, reliable, and expert healthcare support. It can also be difficult to manage the legal and interpersonal consequences.

Read More: Suicide Awareness: Unveiling the Truth

As it’s a permanent and lifelong condition, one should focus on finding methods to deal with these unintended consequences and minimise them as much as possible. It is important as people around a kleptomaniac person can be exhausted in the process of providing support but is essential to them as well, to help them get better over time. It would help to be honest to such people and to the healthcare provider as well, because that is a vent for the guilt as well as a way to ensure continued support by building trust.

Kleptomania can be treated but not cured. It is very important to focus on how to live with it once you have started working on treating it, but continuing the treatment and practising caution. You should be conscious and on alert for a relapse and make a therapy appointment or talk to your support person/group right away.

Summing Up

In conclusion, kleptomania presents a complex challenge, impacting individuals with persistent feelings of shame, guilt, and fear of societal judgement. Recognizing and addressing this condition requires a multifaceted approach, integrating psychotherapy, medication, and cognitive-behavioural therapy.

The origins of kleptomania remain elusive, involving a mix of psychological, neurobiological, and societal factors. It is crucial to create a supportive environment, as individuals with kleptomania generally hesitate to seek help and might not even identify the need in the first place. By fostering trust and understanding, we can encourage those affected to embark on a journey towards diagnosis, management, and ultimately, a life marked by greater control, fulfilment, and purpose obtained from more positive sources.