Individuals with kleptomania, on the other hand, steal spontaneously in order to relieve the tension that continues to build if they do not act. Kleptomania can occur alone, but it often appears alongside other conditions as well. People with this condition may be prone to substance use and anxiety , as well as other disorders associated with impulse control. The disorder has also been shown to be associated with substance and alcohol use. Some experts suggest there may be some type of shared genetic link between substance use disorders and kleptomania.
Research has also found that 73 percent of individuals with kleptomania are also diagnosed with an affective disorder at some point in their lives. In order to diagnose kleptomania, it must first be established that the symptoms cannot be better explained by another psychiatric condition such as conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder. The exact causes of kleptomania are skill under investigation, although it is suggested that both genetic and environmental influences may play a role.
Different perspectives in psychology have suggested a few possible explanations:. The Psychoanalytic Approach : Psychoanalytic explanations for kleptomania have conceptualized it in a variety of ways. Some suggest that people are driven to obtain objects in order to symbolically compensate for some type of early loss or neglect. The Cognitive-Behavioral Approach : Cognitive-behavioral explanations suggest the disorder may begin when an individual is positively reinforced for stealing something.
After the first theft occurs with no negative consequences, it becomes more likely that the behavior will occur again in the future. Eventually, the cues that become associated with the stealing actions become very strong, making it much more likely to continue. When a person finds themselves in a situation where similar environmental cues are present, they may find the overwhelming urge to steal simply irresistible.
Because the act of stealing relieves the stress and tension the individual was experiencing, the behavior also becomes associated with stress relief. Over time, the individual may begin to steal as a means of coping with and relieving stress. The Biological Approach : Biological explanations suggest that the behavior may be linked to specific regions of the brain and possible dysregulation of certain neurotransmitters.
Some studies have linked the emergence of kleptomania to dysfunction in the frontal lobe of the brain. Studies have also shown that SSRIs have been used to effectively treat kleptomania, indicating that the regulation of serotonin might be involved.
Just how common is kleptomania? It is thought to be relatively rare. Estimates place the lifetime prevalence at somewhere between 0. Because people may feel embarrassed or ashamed of their condition, the disorder is thought to be underreported. National data assessing the prevalence in the general population does not exist, but numbers pulled from clinical samples suggest that kleptomania may be much more common than previously believed.
For example, one study of clinical patients found that nearly 3. Kleptomania is typically diagnosed by a physician or mental health professional. Because kleptomania commonly co-occurs with other conditions such as eating disorders, substance and alcohol abuse, and anxiety disorders, it is often diagnosed when people are referred to a doctor for their comorbid psychiatric symptoms.
Diagnosis may also occur if the symptoms of kleptomania have led to an arrest for stealing. Upon initial examination by a medical doctor, the patient may be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further evaluation. Diagnosis may involve utilizing patient interviews and a review of legal records. The secretive nature of the disorder, as well as associated feelings of guilt and shame, can interfere with diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at Stanford University in the US, who are studying whether the impulse to steal can be controlled by antidepressant drugs, believe up to 1. That means it is far more likely that a woman with kleptomania will fall into the hands of the criminal justice system, rather than the mental health system - especially in the UK where the condition is barely even acknowledged. Richard Stern, a consultant psychiatrist with the private Priory clinics, says that, essentially, women with kleptomania will only be diagnosed if they have a smart lawyer who is aware of the condition and willing to get a professional opinion.
Few shoplifters are asked whether they have ever in the past suffered from bulimia or anorexia, or shown any other signs of mental distress. Kleptomania, says Stern, is a bad name for it. The question is why. Certain types of shoplifters are known to suffer from certain psychological problems, of which the commonest is depression. What happens then depends on who deals with them.
It depends on whether the lawyer considers the mental illness aspect of it or not. Poor women and women who may be depressed or beleaguered are unlikely to have a lawyer cute enough to call in a psychiatrist. And a defence of kleptomania is only really likely to convince the court if there is no financial need to steal.
Stern believes that UK psychiatry is "probably only seeing the tip of the iceberg". Jeremy Coid, professor of forensic psychiatry at St Bartholomew's hospital in London, says doctors have to be extremely careful in making the diagnosis. But there is plenty of evidence that this is a genuine psychiatric condition for many, who do not need or want the things they steal, but seek the feelings of relief and gratification that follow the theft. Many people with kleptomania live lives of secret shame because they're afraid to seek mental health treatment.
Although there's no cure for kleptomania, treatment with medication or talk therapy psychotherapy may help to end the cycle of compulsive stealing. If you can't stop shoplifting or stealing, seek medical advice.
Many people who may have kleptomania don't want to seek treatment because they're afraid they'll be arrested or jailed. However, a mental health professional typically doesn't report your thefts to authorities. Some people seek medical help because they're afraid they'll get caught and have legal consequences. Or they've already been arrested, and they're legally required to seek treatment. If you suspect a close friend or family member may have kleptomania, gently raise your concerns with your loved one.
Keep in mind that kleptomania is a mental health condition, not a character flaw, so approach your loved one without blame or accusation. If you need help preparing for this conversation, talk with your doctor. He or she may refer you to a mental health professional who can help you plan a way of raising your concerns without making your loved one feel defensive or threatened.
The cause of kleptomania is not known. If emotional or mental health issues could be the reason for stealing, a child might benefit from seeing a therapist or mental health professional. Kleptomania is extremely difficult to treat alone, so getting medical help is a necessity for most who experience it.
Treatment typically involves a combination of psychotherapy and medications, which can address triggers and causes. Cognitive behavioral therapy is most commonly used to treat kleptomania.
With this type of treatment, your therapist will help you learn to stop detrimental behavior and address the cognition that causes them. In cognitive therapy, your therapist may use:. Medications may be prescribed to address related mood or mental health disorders, like depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Your doctor may prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or an addiction medication that balances opioids to balance the brain chemistry that causes the urges to steal.
Continual treatment and caution is required to avoid kleptomaniac relapses. Adenoids are small tissues located at the back of the throat. They are similar to the tonsils, and located right above them. Both adenoids and tonsils…. Overactive bladder can occur at any age. We break down some of the basics surrounding what masculinity is, how it harms men, and what we can do about it. Ruined orgasms are about control, domination, and power.
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