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Unraveling the Complexities of Kleptomania: Beyond common misconceptions, by Maryam Sulaiman
Kleptomania, an impulse control disorder, manifests as a recurrent urge to steal items without a necessity for financial gain but rather due to a psychological compulsion.
Unlike deliberate theft driven by personal gain or necessity, individuals with kleptomania experience tension before stealing and a sense of relief or gratification afterward.
I came across a post on Facebook where a woman was expressing her concerns about her husband’s behavior of stealing, not just from her but also from her friends.
But is this true?
Another woman also mentioned that she hides her money under her headscarf to prevent her husband from taking it without her knowledge.
Some people suggested that it could be due to Kleptomania, while others believed it might just be a habit of his.
The exact cause of kleptomania is not fully understood, but factors such as genetics, brain chemistry, and psychological issues may play a role.
Causes
•Psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approach
•Cognitive-behavioral models
•Biological models
Diagnosis
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition (DSM IV-TR), a frequent and widely used guide for the diagnosis of mental disorders, the following symptoms and characteristics are the diagnostic criteria for kleptomania:
•Repeated inability to defend against urges to steal things that are not essential for private use or for their economic value;
•Escalating sense of pressure immediately prior to performing the theft;
•Satisfaction, fulfillment or relief at the point of performing the theft;
•The theft is not executed to convey antagonism or revenge, and is not in reaction to a delusion or a fantasy;
•The thieving is not better accounted for by behavior disorder, a manic episode, or antisocial personality disorder.
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Treatment for kleptomania typically involves therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to address the underlying issues that drive the behavior.
Medication may also be prescribed in some cases to help manage any underlying mental health conditions that may be contributing to the impulse control disorder.
There is a difference between ordinary theft and kleptomania: “ordinary theft (whether planned or impulsive) is deliberate and motivated by the usefulness of the object or its monetary worth,” whereas with kleptomania, there “is the recurrent failure to resist impulses to steal items even though the items are not needed for personal use or for their monetary value.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with kleptomania, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional.
Remember, you’re not alone, and there are resources available to support you on your journey towards healing and recovery.
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