overview
- Kleptomania (klep-toe-MAY-nee-uh) is the recurring inability to resist the urge to steal things that you normally don’t really need and that are usually of little value. Kleptomania is a rare but serious mental disorder that can cause you and your loved one a great deal of emotional pain if left untreated.
- Kleptomania is a type of impulse control disorder – a disorder characterized by problems with emotional or behavioral self-control. When you have impulse control disorder, you find it difficult to resist the temptation or urge to do something that is excessive or harmful to yourself or someone else.
- Many people with kleptomania live lives in secret shame because they are afraid to seek treatment. While there is no cure for kleptomania, drug treatment or talk therapy (psychotherapy) can help end the cycle of compulsive theft. Kleptomania Treatment in Hyderabad
symptom
Symptoms of kleptomania can include:
- Inability to resist strong urges to steal unnecessary items
- Feelings of increased tension, fear or excitement leading to theft
- Feel pleasure, relief, or satisfaction while flying
- Feel terrible guilt, remorse, self-loathing, shame, or fear of being arrested after the theft
- Return of the impulses and repetition of the cycle of kleptomania
The reasons
The cause of kleptomania is unknown. Several theories suggest that changes in the brain may be the main cause of kleptomania. More research is needed to better understand these possible causes, but kleptomania can be linked to:
Problems with a natural brain chemical (neurotransmitter) called serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate moods and emotions. Low serotonin levels are common in people who are prone to impulsive behavior.
Addiction disorders. Theft can cause the release of dopamine (another neurotransmitter). Dopamine makes you feel good, and some people keep looking for that rewarding feeling.
The brain’s opioid system. Impulses are regulated by the brain’s opioid system. An imbalance in this system could make it more difficult to withstand impulses. Kleptomania Treatment in Hyderabad
Risk factors
Kleptomania is considered rare. However, some people with kleptomania may never seek treatment or simply be incarcerated after repeated thefts, so some cases of kleptomania may never be diagnosed. Kleptomania often begins in adolescence or young adulthood, but it can also begin in adulthood or later. About two-thirds of people with known kleptomania are women.
Risk factors for kleptomania can include:
Family history. Having a first degree relative such as a parent or sibling with kleptomania, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or alcohol or other substance use disorders may increase your risk of kleptomania.
Have another mental illness. People with kleptomania often have another mental illness, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder, substance use disorder, or personality disorder. Kleptomania Treatment in Hyderabad
prevention
Since the cause of kleptomania is unclear, it is not yet clear how it can be safely prevented. Early treatment for compulsive theft can help keep kleptomania from getting worse and avoid some of the negative consequences.