What Is Kleptomania?
A person with kleptomania will have the drive to steal objects, and it is always known to be recurrent. They find it hard to resist the urge to steal. There are several reasons why a person tends to steal. But, kleptomania is not considered a criminal theft because the person is totally unaware of their stealing attitude in some conditions. Patients with kleptomania steal in a spontaneous moment, and it is often unplanned. After the completion of the stealing, patients with kleptomania feel guilty over their act of stealing. Even though a remorseful attitude is noticed, they find it very hard to resist the urge to steal further. So, kleptomania is a type of stealing which is all about a psychological compulsion rather than any financial profit or desire.
What Are the Causes of Kleptomania?
The exact cause of kleptomania is not identified. The medical report suggests that any kind of alterations in the brain might be the root cause of kleptomania. Some of the possible cause of kleptomania is listed below:
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Alterations in the Level of Serotonin - Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps in regulating the emotional stability of a person. The moves are also well maintained in a stable manner with the help of serotonin. People whose serotonin levels are reduced are prone to behave in an impulsive manner.
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Opioid System in the Brain - An imbalance in the opioid system in the brain causes an individual to have an irresistible urge. This is the reason why patients with kleptomania suffer an irresistible urge.
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Poor self-esteem.
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Peer pressure.
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Financial instability.
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Emotional and physical hardships.
What Are the Symptoms of Kleptomania?
The symptoms faced by kleptomania patients are:
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A higher level of tension and anxiety.
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The satisfied and relieved feeling while stealing.
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An intense feeling of shame and guilt for the act of stealing.
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A powerful and irresistible urge to steal the object when the patient may or may not need it.
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A gratified feeling after stealing.
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Returning of the urge to steal in the next kleptomania cycle.
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They are different from shoplifters because they do not have any personal grudge. They simply steal the objects just because of the urge they have.
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In most cases, the objects they steal are of no use to them because they keep them hidden in a place.
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They steal without others' help most of the time, so it is very difficult to control their behavior. Some patients tend to steal products from public places, while others tend to steal from their close friends and family members during a family gathering.
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The pattern of stealing might not be regular, and the intensity might increase or decrease from time to time.
How Does Kleptomania Occur in Children?
It is very rare for young children to steal a few things from others. Children who are below the age of five are always excited to pick up new and bright objects, but when they cross the age of maturity, it is necessary for them to be aware of other things. If you find your child stealing things from others, then it is an obligation of parents to teach them that it is wrong. Many parents find it hard to get a solution for their child's stealing problem because they are totally unaware of this psychological condition. Stealing habits in children are often seen as an emotional or behavioral problem in development. Genetic factors are known to trigger such conditions. Children who steal have severe trust issues, and they tend to blame the behavior of other people.
How Does Kleptomania Occur in Adults?
In adults, stealing happens due to a strong financial need for a particular object or money. They might also tend to steal objects in order to satisfy the needs of others. Their needs are not self-centered, and the intense desire they obtain to steal might be due to their loved ones' needs. It might be a small stapler in the workplace or huge valuable objects.
What Are the Risk Factors of Kleptomania?
The following factors serve as risk factors for kleptomania.
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Addictive disorders in which the dopamine level seems to rise. Dopamine is the main cause of addiction.
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A family history of kleptomania.
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Female gender. Two out of three people who are affected with kleptomania are identified to be women.
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Trauma in the head and concussions.
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Mental health issues like personality disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
How Is Kleptomania Diagnosed?
Kleptomania can be identified in a person only by a close family member or guardian. The patient might find it hard to self-diagnose. It cannot be identified with any specific blood test. A thorough physical and clinical examination is essential to get a proper diagnosis. Diagnosis requires a psychologist or psychiatrist who will diagnose based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - 5. It is a manual that has the respective characteristics of several psychological disorders that aids in the successful diagnosis of disorders.
What Are the Complications of Kleptomania?
Reports suggest that around 43 % to 55 % of the patients with kleptomania suffer from additional psychological disorders. In the majority of the cases, histrionic personality disorder and paranoid personality disorder are known to be associated with kleptomania.
How Is Kleptomania Treated?
Kleptomania is known to be a very rare condition, and only 0.3 % to 0.6 % of people are affected. Due to the lack of sufficient medical cases, treatment often becomes unpredictable. The most common treatment options that are recommended for kleptomania patients are:
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Medications - Doctors recommend antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). These medications must be combined with psychological counseling.
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Psychotherapy - Psychotherapy is the best treatment choice for such an impulsive disorder. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the recommended method of psychotherapy. The techniques used in CBT are systematic desensitization, aversion therapy, and covert sensitization therapy.
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The patient has to stick to the treatment plan to avoid the recurrence of the condition. Family support and personal coping strategies will help to stay away from stealing habits.
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Relaxation techniques and stress management programs can be followed. The best way is to educate the individual about the condition using visual and auditory aids like movies and short films.
Conclusion:
Kleptomania is a condition that is very challenging to treat with a single mode of approach. Getting medical help is the only way to deal with it. It cannot be cured but can be definitely treated. Continual treatment helps avoid recurrent episodes of kleptomania.
For more help, contact icliniq.com.
