Have you ever seen or heard of people stealing small items that are of no value or that they don't even need? You may have wondered why they do this. It may not be intentional or malicious. Today we are going to talk about one such strange and uncontrollable behavior. It is a mental health condition called Kleptomania .
What is Kleptomania?
Simply put, kleptomania is a mental condition in which a person has an irresistible urge to steal things. People with this condition know that stealing is wrong and that it can cause problems. However, they have a hard time stopping the urge.
Remember, this is not a lack of willpower or a weakness of character. This is a medical condition. As a result, they are unable to control their impulses to steal. Often, after stealing, they feel a great sense of guilt , shame , or stress . Many people try to avoid this by secretly returning the stolen items, or donating them to someone, and sometimes even paying for them later.
Who is most affected by this condition? How common is it?
According to current data, women are about three times more likely to develop kleptomania than men. Surprisingly, it can affect people of any age. There have been cases of this condition diagnosed in people as young as 4 years old, all the way up to 77 years old.
However, this is not a very common condition. Experts estimate that it affects between 0.3% and 0.6% of the American population. In addition, between 4% and 5% of those caught shoplifting have been identified as suffering from kleptomania.
How does Kleptomania affect your body, especially your brain?
Your brain is like a very complex, amazing computer. There is a very delicate network of connections between different parts of the brain. These connections form brain circuits. Your thoughts are formed and those thoughts are implemented through these circuits. Every time you learn something new, your brain creates a new circuit.
Also, when you learn not to do something, the brain creates an inhibition circuit that prevents you from doing it. These inhibitions are very important for your survival and well-being. These inhibitions are what keep you from doing and saying things that others in society would not approve of.
People with kleptomania know that stealing is wrong and that it is not good to do it. Even though they know that, they cannot control it. This means that this inhibition process in their brain does not work properly. Even if they think about the consequences of stealing, such as being arrested and going to jail, they cannot stop the impulse.
What are the symptoms of this?
The main symptom of kleptomania is an uncontrollable urge to steal items or objects, and the person acts on it. This can include one or more of the following:
- The things that are stolen are not essential or of great value . It may be something that is of no use to the person, such as a small pen, a piece of rubber, or a bar of soap.
- Before committing a crime, a person may feel a great deal of tension or anticipation . After committing a crime, they may experience immediate pleasure , relief, or other positive feelings.
- After those positive feelings are gone, many people feel a great sense of guilt, shame, or regret .
- Some people throw away stolen items, give them to others, or donate them to charity. Rarely does someone hoard stolen items, return them secretly, or pay for them later.
- Stealing is not something that is planned in advance . Also, a person with kleptomania does this alone . Many married people keep this condition a secret from their spouse.
Imagine that someone named Sumana goes to a supermarket. She sneaks a chocolate bar that she doesn't need, maybe not even worth 50 rupees, into her bag. At that moment, she feels a great desire. But when she gets home, she feels very sad and ashamed, thinking, "Oh, what have I done?" This is the nature of kleptomania.
What are the causes of Kleptomania?
Experts still don't know exactly what causes kleptomania, but there are several factors that are thought to contribute to it.
Differences in brain structure
It has been found that people with kleptomania may have certain changes in their brain structure, especially in the areas involved in impulse control and inhibition. Because of these changes, the connections in the parts of their brain that control inhibition may be weakened or reduced.
Differences in brain chemistry
Your brain uses special chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate and manage certain processes. In some cases, there have been reports of people developing kleptomania after starting medications that affect neurotransmitters in the brain. However, these cases are very rare. More research is needed to understand exactly why this happens.
As a symptom of other mental health conditions
Some experts do not consider kleptomania to be a separate disease, but rather a symptom of another mental illness. Many people with kleptomania have other mental health problems, especially anxiety , depression , eating disorders , various addictions , and substance use disorders . They are also at increased risk of self-harm and suicide.
Is there a genetic influence? (Genetics)
Experts are still unsure whether kleptomania is inherited, or whether having a family member with the condition increases your risk of developing it. Although there is evidence that other mental health conditions run in families with kleptomania - particularly anxiety, mood disorders and substance use disorders - there is not enough evidence to say for sure that it is genetic.
Is this a contagious disease?
No, Kleptomania is not a contagious disease. It is not transmitted from one person to another.
How is Kleptomania diagnosed?
According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) , fifth edition, for a doctor to diagnose someone with kleptomania, these five factors must be met:
1. Consistently failing to stop stealing. Also, the things stolen are not stolen because they are essential, nor are they stolen because they are valuable enough to be exchanged for money.
2. Feeling great stress or hope before stealing.
3. Feeling an immediate positive feeling like relief, happiness, or a "high" after stealing.
4. Stealing is not an emotional response to anger or revenge. Nor is it something done because of a delusion or hallucination.
5. The behavior cannot be explained by another mental health condition, such as conduct disorder , manic behavior , or antisocial personality disorder .
What tests are done for this?
There are currently no specific tests that can diagnose kleptomania. However, doctors may recommend certain tests to rule out other conditions. Your doctor is best able to explain to you what tests are recommended for your specific condition and why.
How is it treated? Can it be cured?
There is no standard treatment for kleptomania. And there is limited research on which treatments are most effective. One reason for this is that people with kleptomania rarely seek treatment on their own. This makes it difficult to research treatments.
The main current treatments can be divided into two categories:
Medication
Opioid antagonists ( drugs that block the effects of opioid drugs) are one of the primary treatment options. There is research evidence that they are effective. These drugs block the positive feelings that arise when someone steals. Therefore, they can help a person resist the urge to steal.
In addition, medications such as antidepressants , anti-seizure drugs , or lithium are sometimes used.
Psychotherapy
This is also called mental health therapy or behavioral therapy. It usually involves helping someone understand why they do certain things and then developing ways to change or stop those behaviors. There are many different types of psychotherapy for kleptomania. For example, there are methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) , group therapy, or hypnosis.
Are there any complications or side effects of the treatment?
The complications that can occur from medications depend on many factors, including the type of medication you take. Your doctor is the best source of information about what side effects you may or may not experience, and how to prevent or manage them. So, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about these.
If you have kleptomania, how do you take care of yourself? How do you manage the symptoms?
Kleptomania is not always an easy mental health condition to diagnose. Also, it often overlaps with other mental health conditions. Some of these other conditions can be serious, or can put you at increased risk of harming yourself or committing suicide. For these reasons, it is best to see a trained and qualified doctor to diagnose and treat kleptomania . It is much safer than trying to deal with it on your own.
How soon will I feel relief after treatment?
The time it takes to see changes in your behavior or the way you feel can vary depending on many things, such as the type of medication you take, the type of treatment you participate in, etc. Your doctor is the best source of information about your recovery timeline, which means when you will start to feel a difference.
What kind of future can someone with kleptomania expect?
Kleptomania is not a dangerous condition, but it can have a serious impact on your life. People with this condition face legal consequences if caught. Kleptomania can also cause problems such as making it difficult to hold down a job, maintaining friendships, and disrupting personal relationships.
Although kleptomania is not dangerous on its own, it often occurs with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety , depression , obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) , eating disorders , substance use disorders, and various addictions . People with kleptomania are at increased risk of self-harm and suicidal thoughts or attempts.
How long does Kleptomania last?
Kleptomania is usually a lifelong condition, and people with the condition may experience greater or lesser urges to steal at times.
What is the outlook for kleptomania?
Although kleptomania is usually a permanent condition, people can control these impulses and stop stealing. With treatment and support, people are more likely to control these impulses. The longer a person goes untreated, the more likely it is that the condition will negatively impact their life.
Can the risk of this condition be reduced or completely prevented?
Kleptomania is a mental health condition that occurs unexpectedly and for reasons that experts still don't fully understand. As such, there is currently no way to prevent it or reduce the risk of developing it.
How do you take care of yourself?
If you have kleptomania and are receiving treatment, there are several things you can do to take care of yourself:
- Be honest with your doctor about what you're experiencing. It's common for people with kleptomania to feel guilty or ashamed. Your doctor's job is to help you, not to judge you. Being honest will help them diagnose and treat you more quickly.
- If you have been prescribed medication, take it exactly as prescribed. For some people with kleptomania, medication can make a big difference. It is very important to take your medication exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor. Stopping medication for kleptomania, especially antidepressants, suddenly can have unpleasant, and sometimes dangerous, effects.
- See your doctors regularly. Follow-up visits allow your doctor to make sure your medications (if you take them) are working properly. Therapy visits are also important because they help you learn to manage your condition.
- Find coping strategies. Many people with kleptomania can manage their condition by finding ways to resist the urge to steal. For example, they can go shopping with someone else or shop in places that are difficult to steal from. A mental health professional—such as a therapist or counselor—can help you develop a coping strategy that works for you.
If someone close to you has these symptoms, how can you help?
People with kleptomania often know they have a problem, but are afraid to ask for help. They often live with shame, guilt, and fear of what others will think of them. If someone close to you tells you that they are suffering from symptoms that could be kleptomania, it shows them a great deal of trust and vulnerability. Listening to them without judging them can make a big difference. Knowing that someone is willing to help without judging them can also encourage them to seek medical help.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have an uncontrollable, persistent urge to steal, you should see a doctor. Whether this is a sudden change in behavior or if you have been suffering from it for a long time, it is important to seek medical advice.
You should see your doctor again if you notice any of the following after starting treatment:
- New symptoms or changes in behavior that you can't explain.
- Medication side effects that are difficult to tolerate or that interfere with your daily activities.
- If you find that your medications are not effective, or if you feel that their effectiveness is decreasing over time.
When do you need to go to an Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, including thoughts of suicide , you should go to an emergency room or call a number like 1990 (the Sri Lankan suicide prevention hotline) or 1919 (the emergency police hotline). If you are having these thoughts, don't be afraid to talk about them. The most important thing is to get help.
In summary, things we need to remember (Take-Home Message)
Kleptomania is a mental health condition in which a person has an uncontrollable urge to steal things. People with this disorder know that stealing is wrong, and they usually suffer from feelings of guilt and shame. However, they are unable to stop the urge. This is a real medical problem, not a deliberate act of bad behavior.
Without treatment, people with this condition face legal problems, relationship problems, and other mental health issues. They are also at increased risk of suicide.
However, with proper treatment, many people with this condition can control these impulses or adapt to the condition and live a normal life. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, don't be afraid to seek medical advice. Help is always available.
` Kleptomania, the urge to steal, mental health, impulse control, mental illness, stealing, kleptomania
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