Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Kleptomania?CausesDiagnosisTreatmentRelated ConditionsCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Kleptomania?
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Related Conditions
Coping
Kleptomania is also sometimes referred to as compulsive stealing and is considered animpulse control disorderin the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition” (DSM-5). However, it shares features with addictions including gambling and substance use.
This article will help you to learn more about the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of kleptomania, as well as how to cope and seek treatment.
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The primary symptoms of kleptomania involve a lack of impulse control and feelings around stealing as opposed to having a need and inability to pay for what is stolen.
Additionally, the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition” (DSM-5) bases the diagnosis on the fact that the stealing:
People diagnosed with kleptomania generally have symptoms that include:
Additionally, their thefts are generally not planned. The items stolen may be stored without being used, donated, given as gifts, or returned.
Kleptomania shares features with other impulse control disorders, as defined in the DSM-5. In that sense, it is similar to:
Similar conditions include sexual addiction and compulsive shopping. One theory that unites these behaviors is that symptoms are a response to changes in the brain andneurotransmitters(chemical messengers). With dysfunction, the brain can respond differently to urges and has less control over gambling, sex addiction, and other impulse behaviors.
Other factors that contribute to developing an impulse control disorder can include:
Childhood Trauma: Signs You’re Repressing Traumatic Memories
Kleptomania is generally treated with therapy. However, it may be treated with medication or a combination of therapy and medication in some cases. Different types of therapy and medications may be used.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of therapy that is typically used to treat kleptomania. This treatment helps people to identify and understand the connections between their thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors so they can make changes.
Medication
Antidepressantsand other medications used to treat addictions may be considered in treating people with kleptomania to help control their urges to steal.They also may be prescribed to treat co-occurring mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Kleptomania is a separate diagnosis, but it is sometimes present along with other mental health disorders such asanxietyanddepression. These diagnoses are common and often co-occur with behavioral addictions, requiring treatment of their own.People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have a co-occurring internet addiction, for example.Gambling disorders share traits and causes with obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD).
People diagnosed with an impulse control disorder like kleptomania, and often a co-occurring mental health disorder, may improve their quality of life through various strategies and techniques.
Healthy lifestyle choices, like getting enough sleep and exercise, can lead to more structure and balance. So canmindfulness practicesand techniques likedeep breathing exercises.
Tracking
Tracking patterns of kleptomania can help both patients and healthcare professionals to better understand what is going on and how to overcome the challenge.
The first step is to keep track of symptoms, when they occur, and the thoughts and feelings linked to those symptoms. This makes it easier to determine what situations, thoughts, and feelings are most likely to trigger urges to steal.
Journalingis also an option. You also can use tech tools, likeself-careapps and digital calendars.
Stress Management
Since stress is linked to problems with impulse control, stress management techniques may help to lessen the symptoms of kleptomania and other impulse-control disorders.
If you or a loved one are struggling with kleptomania, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
If you or a loved one are struggling with kleptomania, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
What Is Stress and How Can I Recognize It?
Summary
Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder that causes people to steal when they have no need for an item. They experience mounting pressure to do so and relief after engaging in the theft.
Though uncommon, it is a real and serious mental health condition. It shares some of the underlying causes and traits with other mental health conditions that often co-occur in the same person. Treatment for kleptomania includes medication and psychotherapy, but it also may be needed for more than one condition.
Talk to a healthcare professional about kleptomania concerns to ensure a proper diagnosis and treatment.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Kleptomania.Dana Foundation.Shoplifting and Suicide.Mouaffak F, Hamzaoui S, Kebir O, Laqueille X.Kleptomania treated with naltrexone in a patient with intellectual disability.J Psychiatry Neurosci.2020 Jan 1;45(1):71-72. doi:10.1503/jpn.190064.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®) American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.Wildemberg LE, Fialho C, Gadelha MR.Prolactinomas.Presse Med. 2021 Dec;50(4):104080. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2021.104080.Goslar M, Leibetseder M, Muench HM, Hofmann SG, Laireiter AR.Treatments for internet addiction, sex addiction and compulsive buying: A meta-analysis.J Behav Addict. 2020 Apr 1;9(1):14-43. doi:10.1556/2006.2020.00005.Salvatore JE, Dick DM.Genetic influences on conduct disorder.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;91:91-101. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.034Peisch V, Breslend NL, Jones DJ, MacFarlane M, Forehand R.Young children with behavior disorders in low-income families: the role of clinic observations in the assessment of parenting.Evid Based Pract Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2017;2(3-4):201-211. doi:10.1080/23794925.2017.1393638American Psychological Association.Kleptomania.Kozak K, Lucatch AM, Lowe DJE, Balodis IM, MacKillop J, George TP.The neurobiology of impulsivity and substance use disorders: implications for treatment.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019 Sep;1451(1):71-91. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13977Robbins TW, Vaghi MM, Banca P.Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Puzzles and Prospects.Neuron. 2019 Apr 3;102(1):27-47. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.01.046.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.Kleptomania.Dana Foundation.Shoplifting and Suicide.Mouaffak F, Hamzaoui S, Kebir O, Laqueille X.Kleptomania treated with naltrexone in a patient with intellectual disability.J Psychiatry Neurosci.2020 Jan 1;45(1):71-72. doi:10.1503/jpn.190064.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®) American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.Wildemberg LE, Fialho C, Gadelha MR.Prolactinomas.Presse Med. 2021 Dec;50(4):104080. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2021.104080.Goslar M, Leibetseder M, Muench HM, Hofmann SG, Laireiter AR.Treatments for internet addiction, sex addiction and compulsive buying: A meta-analysis.J Behav Addict. 2020 Apr 1;9(1):14-43. doi:10.1556/2006.2020.00005.Salvatore JE, Dick DM.Genetic influences on conduct disorder.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;91:91-101. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.034Peisch V, Breslend NL, Jones DJ, MacFarlane M, Forehand R.Young children with behavior disorders in low-income families: the role of clinic observations in the assessment of parenting.Evid Based Pract Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2017;2(3-4):201-211. doi:10.1080/23794925.2017.1393638American Psychological Association.Kleptomania.Kozak K, Lucatch AM, Lowe DJE, Balodis IM, MacKillop J, George TP.The neurobiology of impulsivity and substance use disorders: implications for treatment.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019 Sep;1451(1):71-91. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13977Robbins TW, Vaghi MM, Banca P.Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Puzzles and Prospects.Neuron. 2019 Apr 3;102(1):27-47. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.01.046.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.Kleptomania.Dana Foundation.Shoplifting and Suicide.Mouaffak F, Hamzaoui S, Kebir O, Laqueille X.Kleptomania treated with naltrexone in a patient with intellectual disability.J Psychiatry Neurosci.2020 Jan 1;45(1):71-72. doi:10.1503/jpn.190064.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®) American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.Wildemberg LE, Fialho C, Gadelha MR.Prolactinomas.Presse Med. 2021 Dec;50(4):104080. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2021.104080.Goslar M, Leibetseder M, Muench HM, Hofmann SG, Laireiter AR.Treatments for internet addiction, sex addiction and compulsive buying: A meta-analysis.J Behav Addict. 2020 Apr 1;9(1):14-43. doi:10.1556/2006.2020.00005.Salvatore JE, Dick DM.Genetic influences on conduct disorder.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;91:91-101. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.034Peisch V, Breslend NL, Jones DJ, MacFarlane M, Forehand R.Young children with behavior disorders in low-income families: the role of clinic observations in the assessment of parenting.Evid Based Pract Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2017;2(3-4):201-211. doi:10.1080/23794925.2017.1393638American Psychological Association.Kleptomania.Kozak K, Lucatch AM, Lowe DJE, Balodis IM, MacKillop J, George TP.The neurobiology of impulsivity and substance use disorders: implications for treatment.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019 Sep;1451(1):71-91. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13977Robbins TW, Vaghi MM, Banca P.Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Puzzles and Prospects.Neuron. 2019 Apr 3;102(1):27-47. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.01.046.
American Psychiatric Association.Kleptomania.
Dana Foundation.Shoplifting and Suicide.
Mouaffak F, Hamzaoui S, Kebir O, Laqueille X.Kleptomania treated with naltrexone in a patient with intellectual disability.J Psychiatry Neurosci.2020 Jan 1;45(1):71-72. doi:10.1503/jpn.190064.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®) American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.
Wildemberg LE, Fialho C, Gadelha MR.Prolactinomas.Presse Med. 2021 Dec;50(4):104080. doi:10.1016/j.lpm.2021.104080.
Goslar M, Leibetseder M, Muench HM, Hofmann SG, Laireiter AR.Treatments for internet addiction, sex addiction and compulsive buying: A meta-analysis.J Behav Addict. 2020 Apr 1;9(1):14-43. doi:10.1556/2006.2020.00005.
Salvatore JE, Dick DM.Genetic influences on conduct disorder.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;91:91-101. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.034
Peisch V, Breslend NL, Jones DJ, MacFarlane M, Forehand R.Young children with behavior disorders in low-income families: the role of clinic observations in the assessment of parenting.Evid Based Pract Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2017;2(3-4):201-211. doi:10.1080/23794925.2017.1393638
American Psychological Association.Kleptomania.
Kozak K, Lucatch AM, Lowe DJE, Balodis IM, MacKillop J, George TP.The neurobiology of impulsivity and substance use disorders: implications for treatment.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019 Sep;1451(1):71-91. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13977
Robbins TW, Vaghi MM, Banca P.Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Puzzles and Prospects.Neuron. 2019 Apr 3;102(1):27-47. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.01.046.
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