“A kleptomaniac is a person who helps himself because he can’t help himself.” – Henry Morgan

Shoplifting sets retailers back some $10 billion dollars a year in stolen merchandise.  Although mostly performed by amateur and professional shoplifters a small percentage is done by people who feel a compulsive need to steal.  They are not stealing for monetary gain, or personal use, but rather for the tension release and gratification experienced by doing so.  This is known as “kleptomania”.  It is an irresistible urge to steal items, generally that are not needed, and usually of insignificant value.  It is a serious mental health disorder that can lead to great emotional pain and turmoil if left untreated.  This urge is so powerful and intense it actually creates a highly disturbing level of anxiety, tension and/or arousal.  Sufferers believe they can only rid themselves of this horrible feeling by stealing.  During the theft they experience a great sense of gratification and relief.  Afterward, however, they are often wrought with a massive sense of guilt, remorse and self-loathing.  They also, of course, fear being arrested.  But, none of these negative feelings is enough to permanently end the behavior.  The urge returns, and the kleptomaniac once again finds her/himself caught up in the vicious cycle.  In fact, many end up living a life of shame, kept secret only to themselves.  Most sufferers steal in public places, such as retail stores, rarely stealing from friends or acquaintances.

There is a clear distinction between kleptomania and shoplifting or thievery.  Shoplifters and thieves steal for monetary gain and typically do so in a premeditated fashion.  Kleptomaniacs do not consider the value of what they steal, and usually do not even consider the theft itself until they are overwhelmed with the compulsion to do so.  In fact, the stolen items are usually just stashed away and never used.  Sometimes, the kleptomaniac, so disturbed by the feelings of shame and guilt, will attempt to secretly return the item(s) to the place from which they were stolen.

 According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) the following criteria form the basis for a diagnosis of kleptomania:

1. The individual repeatedly fails to resist the impulse to steal items that are not needed for personal use or monetary value.
2. The individual experiences tension before stealing.
3. The individual’s tension is relieved or gratified by the act of the theft itself.
4. The theft is not due to anger, revenge, delusions, hallucinations, or impaired judgment as a result of dementia, mental retardation, or alcohol or drug intoxication).
5. Other psychological disorders cannot account for the individual’s stealing behavior, such as manic episodes (bipolar disorder) and antisocial behaviors.

It is estimated that less than 5% of shoplifters actually suffer from kleptomania.  It most often begins during adolescence or young adulthood, and although considered a rare occurrence, because many kleptomaniacs never seek treatment, or are simply incarcerated as a result of their behavior, many cases go undiagnosed.

Although the actual cause of the disorder is unknown, from a clinical perspective, kleptomania has historically been thought to be part of the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) since the overpowering and uncontrollable urge to steal is experienced in a very similar way to the pointless, excessive and undesired rituals of OCD.  Additionally, some individuals who suffer from kleptomania also experience hoarding behaviors much like those with OCD.  Several theories suggest that kleptomania may be linked to the neurochemical serotonin, which has been found in reduced levels in individuals suffering from impulsive behaviors.  However, some recent brain studies have demonstrated evidence that suggests it may actually be more similar to addiction disorders.  Stealing may cause the release of a different neurochemical, dopamine, which is known to cause feelings of pleasure and euphoria.

Some risk factors for developing kleptomania have been identified and include:

• Being female – some 70% of individuals diagnosed with kleptomania are women.
• Having a co-morbid mental illness – people with kleptomania frequently have other mental health disorders including:  anxiety disorder; eating disorders; bipolar disorder; and, substance abuse disorders.
• Having a family history of kleptomania – having a parent or sibling with kleptomania, or OCD, may increase the risk.
• Head trauma/brain injury – may contribute to the development of the disorder.

People suffering from kleptomania typically lead an otherwise honest and decent life, and as such are often confused and distressed by their compulsive stealing behavior. Although humiliation, embarrassment, guilt, shame and fear all make seeking treatment for kleptomania more challenging than many other mental health disorders, left untreated it can result in grave financial, legal and emotional problems.  It is imperative one seek help as kleptomania is extremely difficult to overcome on one’s own.  Treatment usually involves both psychotherapy and medication.

Given the rather uncommon occurrence of kleptomania, there is little scientific research specifically focused on its treatment.  However, certain medications have demonstrated therapeutic benefits.

• Mood stabilizers such as lamotrigine, valproic acid, topiramate, lithium and others may be used to help balance out rapid and/or irregular mood swings that can trigger the urge to steal.
• Certain antidepressant medications, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and others are regularly used to treat the obsessive-compulsive characteristics of the disorder.
• A medication typically used in treating addictions, naltrexone (an opioid antagonist), works by blocking the part of the brain in which one feels pleasure in response to certain addictive behaviors.  By doing so, it may help diminish the pleasure associated with, and thereby the urges to, steal.

Given the similarities in characteristics of kleptomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder it is no surprise that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has established itself as the form of psychotherapy most effective in treating kleptomania.

There are many capable and skilled Cognitive-Behavioral therapists within the Tri-Counties area that can effectively assist in treating kleptomania.  They can be found by entering “Cognitive Behavioral Therapists” in your local area on your favorite search engine.