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Kleptomania (Impulse-Control Disorder) This disorder is characterized by episodes of stealing. Usually with a build-up of tension before the act and a sense of relief after the act. Most of the time the stolen objects are petty things that they can afford to buy.
Kleptomania appears to be much more common
in females, but little is understood about the etiology. There is also
some association with other disorders such as depression and anxiety. Kleptomania involves the failure to resist
impulses to steal things that are not needed for either personal use or
for their monetary value. There is typically anxiety prior to the act of
theft and relief or gratification afterward. If the theft is related to
vengeance or psychosis, kleptomania should not be diagnosed. (Kleptomania
is quite rare, where common shoplifting is not). Treatment typically involves behavior
modification. Other treatment approaches involve seeing the theft as an
unconscious process and analyzing it as such may assist in gaining insight
and eventually extinguishing the behavior. Prognosis is fair, but can increase with a positive therapeutic relationship and a strong motivation to change the behavior. Kleptomania often goes untreated and results in legal difficulties. Adapted
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