Kleptomania Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Kleptomania is a mental illness or condition in which a person is unable to resist the urge to take objects without permission.
Usually, the objects taken are actually not needed and are generally not of high value.
Kleptomaniac behavior is an impulse control disorder, which is characterized by abnormalities related to emotional or behavioral self-control.
A person with an impulse control disorder has difficulty resisting temptations or urges to do things that are excessive or harmful to themselves or others.
This psychiatric condition is actually quite rare, although it is quite serious. This problem can cause ongoing emotional disturbances for the person concerned.
Beyond that, kleptomania can also have mental-social consequences for those closest to them.
Kleptomania is a rare condition in Indonesia. However, there are still many people with kleptomania who do not seek treatment or are imprisoned for repeated theft. That’s why many cases of kleptomania go undetected.
Kleptomania
| Medical specialist | Mental Health Specialist |
| Symptoms | Inability to resist strong urges to take without permission/pay for things that are not needed, feeling increased pressure, anxiety, or anxiety before stealing |
| risk factor | Family history of kleptomania, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or addiction to alcohol or other substances; having another mental disorder, childhood trauma, neglectful or abusive parents |
| diagnosis | Physical and psychological examination |
| Treatment | Drug therapy and psychotherapy |
| Drug | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) drugs; opiate antagonist drugs (such as naltrexone ) |
| Complications | Severe depression, anxiety, and eating disorders |
| When to See a Doctor? | Experiencing recurrent urges to steal that cannot be resisted |
Symptoms
Some of the recognizable symptoms of kleptomania include:
- Inability to resist strong urges to take things without permission/pay for things that are not needed
- Feeling increased pressure, anxiety, or anxiety before committing theft
- Feeling satisfaction, enjoyment, or gratification when committing the act of theft
- Feeling self-loathing, guilt, shame, or fear after committing theft
- The urge and repetition of the kleptomania cycle reappear
- Other substance use disorders (alcohol, nicotine)
In general, people with kleptomania also exhibit the following characteristics:
- Unlike thieves, people with kleptomania do not steal for personal gain, revenge, or acts of mischief. They steal because there is a very strong and irresistible urge
- Episodes of kleptomania generally occur suddenly, without planning, and without the help or collaboration of another person
- Most individuals with kleptomania steal from public places, such as shops and supermarkets. A small number can steal from friends or relatives, for example at a party
- Oftentimes, the stolen item has no value to the person, who can also afford it
- Stolen things are generally only kept and not used. The item can also be donated, given to family members and friends, or surreptitiously returned to the place where the item was first stolen.
- The urge to steal is fickle. The urges can come and go from time to time, or they can occur with greater or lesser intensity over time
Reason
The exact cause of kleptomania is not known. Some theories state that there may have been changes in the brain that are the origin of kleptomania.
Further research is needed to understand some of the other possible causes.
However, kleptomania is thought to be related to:
1. Disorders of serotonin
These brain chemicals keep moods and emotions in balance. Low serotonin levels are quite common in those who have a tendency to be impulsive.
2. Addictive disorders
The act of shoplifting goods can trigger the production of dopamine, a brain chemical that causes a feeling of satisfaction. Some people seek satisfaction from this behavior constantly.
3. The brain’s opioid system
Kleptomaniac drive is regulated by the brain’s opioid system. An imbalance in this system can increase the difficulty of resisting urges.
Risk Factors
Kleptomania generally begins in adolescence or young adulthood, but can also begin in adulthood.
Some of the risk factors associated with kleptomania are:
- A family history of kleptomania, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or addiction to alcohol or other substances
- Have other mental disorders
- Childhood trauma
- Inattentive or abusive parents
- Head trauma
- Brain disorders (such as epilepsy )
Diagnosis
Someone with symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of kleptomania can be further evaluated with a physical and psychological examination.
A physical exam can determine if there is a medical cause that triggers the symptoms.
Kleptomania is generally diagnosed based on the signs and symptoms experienced by a person.
Because this condition is a type of impulse control disorder, the doctor can ask several things to make a diagnosis, such as:
- Inquire about the urge felt and the feelings experienced when the urge arises
- Give some examples of situations and ask whether the symptoms of kleptomania will be felt if placed in that situation
- Ask to fill out a psychological questionnaire or self-assessment
The diagnostic criteria for kleptomania are:
- Repeated failure to resist urges to steal things that are not needed for personal use or of monetary value
- Increased sense of tension just before committing the theft
- Pleasure, gratification, or relief in committing theft
- The theft is not committed to express anger or revenge and is not in response to delusions or hallucinations
- Stealing is not a conduct disorder, manic episode, or antisocial personality disorder
Treatment
Fear and shame can indeed hinder someone with kleptomania from seeking treatment. Even so, treatment is very important.
Without proper treatment, kleptomania can progress to a long-term condition.
How to deal with kleptomania generally involves medication, psychotherapy, or both, which are further explained as follows:
1. Treatment
Depending on the presence of other mental disorders, the doctor will determine the type of treatment that needs to be prescribed.
2. Psychotherapy
The type of psychotherapy that is commonly used is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy can help someone with kleptomania recognize negative unhealthy values and behaviors, to replace them with healthier and positive behaviors.
Some of the drugs that are usually prescribed to treat kleptomania are:
- Golongan selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Opiate antagonists (such as naltrexone )
Prevention
The exact cause of kleptomania is unknown. For this reason, there is no prevention method that can ensure that someone avoids this condition.
Getting treatment immediately after compulsive stealing occurs can prevent the worsening of kleptomania and avoid the negative consequences that arise.
Complications
Untreated kleptomania can be closely related to major depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
When to See a Doctor?
Immediately see a mental health specialist if you experience repeated urges to steal that cannot be resisted.