Kleptomania – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder. It’s characterized by the recurrent inability to resist urges to steal items that are not needed or of significant value.

People with this condition often steal objects they could easily afford to purchase. This rare but serious mental health condition involves problems with emotional or behavioral self-control.

Those affected by kleptomania typically experience:

• Strong, uncontrollable impulses to steal
• Items stolen usually have little monetary value
• Theft is not motivated by anger, revenge, or financial gain
• Feelings of tension before the theft
• Pleasure or relief during the act
• Guilt or shame afterward

Many individuals with kleptomania suffer in silence due to embarrassment and fear of seeking help. The condition can lead to significant emotional distress and legal consequences if left untreated.

While kleptomania has no cure, effective treatments exist. These may include:

• Medication to address underlying issues
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Skills training to manage impulses
• Support groups

With proper treatment, people with kleptomania can learn to control their stealing impulses and improve their quality of life.

Signs and Symptoms

People with kleptomania experience strong urges to steal items they don’t actually need. These urges follow a specific pattern:

• Strong impulses that feel impossible to resist.
• Growing tension or anxiety before stealing.
• Relief or pleasure during the theft.
• Guilt and shame after stealing.
• Repeating cycle as urges return.

Unlike regular shoplifters, people with this condition don’t steal for personal gain or revenge. They steal because they feel an overwhelming need to do so.

Most thefts happen:

• Without planning
• Without help from others
• From public places like stores
• Sometimes from friends or at social events

Interestingly, stolen items often have little value to the person, who could usually afford to buy them. These items are typically:

• Hidden away, unused
• Given to others
• Sometimes secretly returned

The urges may come and go over time, with periods of stronger or weaker intensity.

When Medical Help Is Needed

If you find yourself unable to stop stealing, seek help from a healthcare provider. Many people avoid treatment because they fear legal consequences. Remember that mental health providers generally don’t report thefts to authorities.

Some people seek treatment because they:

1. Fear getting caught
2. Want to avoid legal troubles
3. Have already been arrested and are required to get help

Healthcare professionals understand this is a mental health condition that requires proper treatment, not punishment.

Supporting Someone with Kleptomania

If you think someone close to you has kleptomania, approach them with care and without judgment. Remember this is a mental health disorder, not a character flaw.

Helpful talking points:

• Express concern for their wellbeing
• Mention the risks of continued stealing (legal issues, job loss, damaged relationships)
• Acknowledge that willpower alone isn’t enough to stop the urges
• Share that effective treatments exist to help manage the condition

If you need help starting this conversation, talk to your healthcare provider. They may suggest a mental health professional who can help you plan a supportive approach that won’t make your loved one feel threatened or defensive.

Causes

The exact reasons behind kleptomania remain unclear. Scientists believe brain changes may trigger this disorder, with repetitive stealing behaviors reinforcing the condition over time. Several factors might contribute to kleptomania:

Brain Chemistry Imbalances

• Low serotonin levels (a brain chemical that regulates mood)
• Disruptions in the brain’s opioid system that manages urges
• Problems with dopamine regulation (the pleasure chemical)

People with kleptomania often have imbalanced serotonin levels, which can lead to more impulsive behaviors. When someone steals, their brain may release dopamine, creating pleasant feelings that the person wants to experience again.

Habit Formation

The disorder may develop through a cycle of:

1. Experiencing uncomfortable urges
2. Stealing to relieve these urges
3. Feeling temporary relief
4. Strengthening the behavior pattern

This cycle creates a powerful habit that becomes increasingly difficult to break over time. Each successful theft reinforces the behavior, making it more likely to continue despite negative consequences.

More research is needed to fully understand these potential causes and develop better treatments.

Risk Factors

Kleptomania is rare, yet many cases may go undiagnosed because people don’t seek help or end up in jail after stealing repeatedly. The condition typically starts during teenage years or early adulthood, though it can develop later.

Women make up about two-thirds of known kleptomania cases.

Several factors may increase someone’s chance of developing kleptomania:

• Family Connections: Having parents, siblings, or other blood relatives with kleptomania or addiction problems may raise the risk.
• Other Mental Health Conditions: People with kleptomania frequently have additional mental health issues such as:
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Substance use disorders

These accompanying conditions may complicate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Complications

Kleptomania, if not treated, can lead to serious problems in many areas of life. People with this condition often feel unable to stop themselves from stealing, even though they know it’s wrong.

This can cause strong feelings of guilt, shame, and self-hate.

The effects can spread to many aspects of life:

• Legal issues, including possible arrest and criminal charges
• Financial difficulties
• Family relationship problems
• Work-related troubles
• Emotional distress

Kleptomania may appear alongside other conditions:

Related Conditions	Examples
Other impulse control disorders	Gambling addiction, compulsive shopping
Substance issues	Alcohol misuse, drug problems
Mood disorders	Depression, bipolar disorder
Anxiety disorders	Various types
Eating disorders	Different forms
Personality disorders	Multiple types

Some people with kleptomania also experience thoughts of suicide or suicidal behaviors.

Prevention

Getting early treatment for kleptomania can help. We don’t fully understand what causes this condition, so there’s no proven way to prevent it completely.

However, seeking help as soon as someone notices compulsive stealing behaviors may stop the condition from getting worse.