Book Online Counselling and Treatment for Kleptomania Disorder

Mental Health Care for the Uncontrollable Urge to Steal

Kleptomania is a type of impulse control disorder. As the term suggests, impulse control mental disorders create difficulties in controlling emotions and behaviour. Like any other person, individuals with this condition have willpower, self-control, and good character. The difference is that they have a mental illness that diminishes their ability to resist the temptation to steal.

This condition is more common in women than in men. As theft is a criminal activity and ethically wrong, people with this illness may feel shame, guilt, and stress about getting caught. To make up for their deeds, they try to compensate by returning items, donating them to charity, or returning and paying for them after the incident has occurred.

This condition can affect people of all ages. While there is no cure, one can control their habit of shoplifting with the help of medication and psychotherapy.

Major Causes

As of now, no one knows what causes this condition. Scientists believe it is related to the brain's reward centre and opioid system. This condition can be caused by an imbalance in the neurotransmitter pathways associated with serotonin and dopamine. The said hormones can influence the opioid system of the brain, which controls your inhibitions. If they are unbalanced, your brain may not respond or have the power to work against urges as it should.

Another possible cause of this illness is stress. The inability to regulate desires may be induced by a major stressful or traumatic event or a combination of minor strains. Plus, stress impairs impulse control, so even if it is not the cause, it can exacerbate the condition.

Common Signs

Key signs of this theft disorder include:

• Inability to resist the strong urge to steal things you don't need for your personal use.
• Feelings of increased tension, anxiety, or arousal preceding the theft
• While shoplifting, you may experience pleasure, relief, or gratification.
• Following the theft, you may experience intense guilt, remorse, self-loathing, shame, or fear of arrest.
• A kleptomaniac is a lone wolf and is usually alone while shoplifting.
• Most people with this ailment who are married keep it a secret from their spouse.
• These thefts are not motivated by revenge or anger and are not committed because of delusions, mania, or hallucinations.
• Anti-social Personality Disorder, Conduct Disorder, or a manic episode cannot explain a person's thefts.

Characteristics of kleptomaniacs:

• They, unlike typical shoplifters, do not steal compulsively for personal gain, on a dare, for revenge, or out of rebellion. They do so simply because the urge is too strong for them to resist.
• Usually, stealing episodes occur spontaneously, without any planning or collaboration from another person.
• The majority of kleptomaniacs steal from public places such as stores and supermarkets. Some people will steal from their friends or acquaintances, such as at a party.
• Often, the stolen items are of little value to the kleptomaniac, and they can afford to buy them.
• Some people throw stolen items away, give them to others or donate them to charity. Less commonly, a person will hoard stolen items, secretly return them or return and pay for them.
• Urges to steal may come and go or occur with varying degrees of intensity over time.

Risk Factors

As experts are unaware of the cause of this stealing disorder, it is challenging to list its risk factors. Here are some possible factors that can contribute to the development of this condition. These are either seen as a common link between many cases of kleptomania or can theoretically increase the chances of developing this condition.

• Certain drugs: There have been reports of people developing this illness after drug use. This can disrupt neurotransmitters in their brains. However, these are rare situations, and further research is needed to determine why this occurs.
• Structural abnormalities in the brain: Kleptomaniacs are more likely to have structural changes in their brains, particularly in areas that handle impulse control and inhibition.
• Other mental illnesses: This impulse-control disorder, according to some specialists, is a symptom, not a disease. It is frequently associated with other mental health concerns, particularly anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addictions, and substance abuse disorders. They are also more likely to commit suicide or self-harm.
• Genetics: Experts don't know if a person can inherit this disease or if family history raises your risk of having it. But it has been observed that kleptomaniacs often have a family member with other medical conditions or psychiatric disorders — especially anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance abuse.

How to Deal With Your Symptoms

There are two effective treatment options for this illness:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT is most commonly used to treat this impulsive disorder. It helps people understand and change their thoughts and behaviours. Therapy may be one-on-one or occur in a group setting. In either case, the focus is on dealing with underlying psychological problems that may contribute to this disorder. In cognitive therapy, your counsellor may use:
  • Systematic desensitization: Here, you practice relaxation techniques to learn to control the urge to steal.
  • Covert sensitization: In this type of therapy, you imagine yourself stealing and then facing negative consequences like being arrested
  • Aversion therapy: This treatment requires you to actively associate something unpleasant with your impulse to steal, such as training yourself to think of something repulsive whenever an urge to steal emerges or holding your breath to induce discomfort when thoughts of stealing arise.

• Medications: Medications may be prescribed to address moods or mental health disorders, like depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder, which can lead to or worsen this illness. Your doctor may prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or an addiction medication that balances opioids to balance the brain chemistry that causes the urges to steal.

  Other than medications and therapy, there are other methods to cope and manage this illness that you can try on your own.

  • Seek Support: Communicating with friends and family can help them understand that you are not a thief and that your actions are not in your control. By sharing your struggle with your loved one, you might feel relief. Additionally, there are self-help groups and support groups specifically for this condition that may be helpful. When you learn that others struggle with day-to-day life just like you, you feel a little less alone and guilty.

  • Tracking: Tracking your stealing urges can help health care providers understand what's happening with you and how to solve the problem.

    • The first stage is to record symptoms as they occur and the thoughts and feelings associated with those symptoms. This makes determining what situations and emotions are most likely to trigger a desire to steal easier.
    • In the second stage, you find ways to avoid those situations. If certain thoughts or feelings trigger this behaviour, you can learn to divert your mind by pinching your hand or squeezing your forearms. This way, you can stop thinking about those certain triggering feelings.
• Stress Management: Because stress has been linked to impulse control illness, stress management approaches may assist in alleviating the symptoms of this ailment.

Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who's Right For You

While kleptomania is not lethal, it can severely affect the quality of your life. Stealing when you know it is illegal and unethical can still lead to a buildup of guilt and shame. On top of that, you know you cannot control yourself and will repeat this behaviour. Kleptomaniacs might face difficulty maintaining a job or relationships and are more likely to engage in self-harm and suicidal ideas or attempts.

But it doesn't have to be like this. Psychotherapy can help you control your urges and manage other mental health conditions that might be contributing to this disorder. With Docvita, you can choose from multiple compassionate mental health professionals.

Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today

We know what you are thinking. Sharing your life story with another person might be daunting, given the history of stealing things. But understand that medical professionals do not share their patient's details or report them to the police. They understand your struggle more than any other person.

You can get immediate assistance when you need it. At DocVita, we provide you with a comprehensive list of various specialists who can lend an empathetic ear and help you start your journey of healing. Book a therapy session with a trustworthy therapist from the comfort of your home.