Kleptomania

Kleptomania is an embarrassing psychological condition. A person may have the problem for years without it being discovered; it only coming to light when the authorities are involved.

In a way it is stealing without apparent reason. We know, of course, that there are no actions without reason, but in the case of Kleptomania, the rationale is not always easy to identify.

Though some have used it, Kleptomania is not an excuse for stealing. The characteristics of a Kleptomaniac are so different from a shoplifter that it is relatively easy to separate the two. Statistically, only 5% of shoplifters are diagnosed as Kleptomaniacs.

It is interesting to note that Kleptomania is ego-dystonic which means that it is against the person's beliefs or moral code. This means that they feel guilty when they have stolen something.

The characteristics of a person suffering this condition include:

The objects are usually of little or no value.

The person could usually easily afford them.

The person has little or no use for them and may give them away, discard them, hoard them or surreptitiously return them.

The person will avoid stealing if arrest is probable.

The person does not pre-plan the theft or assess the chances of apprehension.

Obviously when a person is found out, the consequences can be far reaching. There may be problems of a legal nature, family problems, career difficulties and personal problems.

The criterion for diagnosing Kleptomania are the following:

1 There is a recurrent failure to resist the impulse to steal objects that are not needed for personal use or for their monetary value.

2 There is an increase of tension immediately before the theft.

3 There is gratification, pleasure or relief at the time of the theft.

4 The stealing is not to express anger or vengeance.

5 It is not due to some delusion or hallucination or other psychological problem such as a manic episode or part of antisocial behaviour.

There is no known cause for Kleptomania. There are some useful hints, however. When people are suffering with stress or anxiety, they may indulge in activities which relieve their stress. Some people use alcohol, some turn to drugs, and some self harm. It would be reasonable to propose that stealing could fall into the same category. It may be that the initial tension followed by gratification of it being completed generates a feeling of stress relief. There are some similarities to self harming.

It could also be connected tohb acting in a way that contravenes the person's sense of "rightness". This would mean that stealing enables them to rebel in a small but important way. If the person feels constrained, frustrated or oppressed, such an activity may provide them with welcome relief.

The incidence of Kleptomania might suggest that these possible causes might carry some weight. It is known that two thirds of all sufferers are female and there is no particular age of onset.

As there is no known cause of Kleptomania, there is no specific treatment that can be recommended. The medical profession uses anti-depressants which seem to have a positive effect. It tends to dull the mind which may make the urges somewhat less.

The psychological route is usually by way of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy but any form of Psychotherapy designed to systematically desensitise the person and encourage relaxation would be beneficial.

Kleptomania is an embarrassing psychological condition because the symptoms are both incomprehensible and distasteful to society in general. No one likes to feel that a friend or relative has a compulsion to steal. Though the cause of the condition is still unknown, treatment is available but must be on a one-to-one basis, seeking to ascertain the person's own reason for the condition. With the information generated, a suitable remedy can be found.

For more information call Grahame on 96 540 5631 or visit the website www.san-luis-clinic. co.uk.