Kleptomania: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

By Cristiano Antonino Last updated Jun 19, 2023

Kleptomania is included in the Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) under Impulse Control Disorders and is characterised by “the recurrent inability to resist the impulse to steal objects that have no personal utility or commercial value”

In fact, the theft is carried out neither out of revenge, nor out of anger, nor behind a delusion or hallucination, but from the inability to resist a compelling desire.

Generally, the objects stolen by those suffering from kleptomania are of little value to the subject who often gives them away or throws them away

More rarely, he may even keep them and return them secretly.

Often, however, as in other similar disorders, the uncontrolled gesture is followed by deep feelings of guilt and self-disapproval.

Nevertheless, and despite all good intentions not to repeat it, the cycle usually repeats itself ad infinitum without the kleptomaniac being able to interrupt it, except by refraining from frequenting all places where he or she might be tempted (e.g. shops, supermarkets, etc.).

The kleptomania patient usually does not plan the theft, he or she carries it out alone without the complicity or assistance of anyone, taking care not to be arrested.

The act of stealing is preceded by a feeling of increasing tension accompanied by pleasure, gratification and relief following the theft.

The subject realises the senselessness of the act and may experience a state of depression and a strong sense of guilt as a result.

As is natural, kleptomania can cause legal, family, career and personal difficulties

It can begin at any age; it can start in childhood, adolescence or adulthood and in rare cases in late adulthood; the condition seems to be more common among women than men, as is the case with compulsive shopping (with which it has many similarities).

Kleptomania can undergo evolutions and changes, for instance, subjects may steal sporadically alternating with long periods of remission; episodes of theft may alternate with periods of remission or the disorder may be chronic.

The disorder may continue for years despite multiple theft convictions if not adequately treated.

Treatment of kleptomania is possible, provided the subject is truly motivated to get help, and necessarily requires a cognitive-behavioural psychotherapeutic intervention.

In some cases, supportive drug therapy may also help, for a certain period, especially if the disorder is associated with depressive symptoms.

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