Kleptomania – Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Mental health experts assess kleptomania by evaluating a person’s symptoms and behaviors. A physical exam can rule out any medical reasons for the urge to steal.
After that, a psychological evaluation checks for patterns like strong urges to steal, growing tension before stealing, and relief afterward.
Mental health providers may:
- Ask about urges to steal, feelings before and after, and if certain places or events make the urge worse.
- Review any troubles caused by compulsive stealing or related conduct.
- Use checklists or questionnaires to gather more details.
- Refer to standards found in the DSM-5.
Here is a comparison:
| Disorder | Similar Symptoms | Main Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Kleptomania | Impulse to steal | Not for personal gain |
| Conduct Disorder | Stealing, other behaviors | Often along with rule-breaking actions |
| Antisocial Personality | Repeated law-breaking | Persistent disregard for others’ rights |
Providers focus on patterns of stealing, emotional responses, and the presence of other mental health conditions.
Treatment
Medicine Choices
Doctors sometimes recommend medicines to help manage kleptomania. The FDA has not approved any drugs specifically for this condition, but some options are still used.
Doctors may suggest medicines if a person has other mental health concerns, like depression. Doctors may prescribe opioid receptor antagonists to help reduce the urge to steal and the sense of pleasure that some people experience from the behavior.
Another group of medicines, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are typically used for depression but may also help manage kleptomania by adjusting serotonin levels in the brain.
Doctors might also try other medicines or combinations, depending on each person’s situation. Below is a quick table of medicine types sometimes used:
| Medicine Type | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Addiction treatment medicine | Lowers urges and pleasure from stealing |
| Antidepressants (SSRIs) | Changes brain chemicals like serotonin |
| Others (case by case) | May address related symptoms |
Patients should always talk to their doctor or pharmacist about side effects and any medicine interactions.
Talk Therapy and Skill Training
Therapists use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a main part of kleptomania treatment. CBT helps people recognize unhelpful thoughts or habits and swap them for healthier ways to handle tough situations.
Therapists may use several skill-building strategies:
- Systematic Desensitization: Practicing relaxation in situations that trigger stealing urges.
- Covert Sensitization: Imagining the act of stealing and then thinking about its negative outcomes.
- Aversion Therapy: Creating mild discomfort (like holding one’s breath) when the urge to steal appears.
These techniques teach people better tools for managing their feelings and reactions. Therapy might also focus on changing beliefs linked to stealing, and therapists can tailor it for each person.
Ways to Reduce the Risk of Repeat Episodes
Kleptomania can come back even after early success with treatment. Maintaining treatment sessions and following the plan from the mental health provider helps reduce the risk of relapse.
People can reach out to a therapist, trusted support person, or a self-help group when urges return. Building a good support system, tracking symptoms, and staying open about feelings helps lower the risk of returning to old patterns.
Methods for Managing and Finding Support
Guidance for Family and Friends
Loved ones play an important role in supporting someone with kleptomania. Family and friends can:
- Learn About Kleptomania: Understanding the condition helps in recognizing common problems, such as compulsive urges, related mood disorders, or struggles with substance abuse.
- Stay Involved in Treatment: Attending therapy sessions, when appropriate, gives insight into what triggers stealing behavior or periods of high anxiety and depression.
- Communicate Openly: Honest conversations about setbacks, feelings of guilt or remorse, and personal achievements can strengthen the support system.
- Use Healthy Coping Habits: Caregivers should look after their own well-being. Stress management techniques—like exercise or meditation—help reduce anxiety and boost overall quality of life.
Table: Ways Loved Ones Can Help
| Action | Potential Benefit |
|---|---|
| Attend therapy sessions. | Learn about personal triggers and coping tools. |
| Offer non-judgmental support. | Reduces shame and helps recovery. |
| Encourage healthy activities. | Channels energy into positive outlets. |
| Watch for signs of relapse. | Supports early intervention. |
Family members can also seek their own counseling. This supports their mental health, especially if they face increased stress or symptoms of mood disorders caused by the ongoing challenges.
Peer Groups and Shared Support
Joining a support group is another valuable coping method for people with kleptomania.
- 12-Step Programs: Some group meetings borrow from programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, focusing on living without stealing and managing urges.
- Other Addiction Support Groups: Even if there is no group specifically for kleptomania, meetings about substance use disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder may offer helpful advice and encouragement.
- Peer Encouragement: Talking with others who have similar experiences helps individuals feel less alone. Group discussions cover many topics—recognizing delusion, addressing guilt over stolen objects, and finding ways to avoid risky situations.
Self-help groups may not work for everyone, but they offer a chance for people to share strategies about avoiding triggers, such as high-stress settings or manic episodes.
Those who join groups often benefit from discussing setbacks and progress in a safe and supportive environment.
Having people to talk to—whether family, friends, or peers—can make a big impact on recovery.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take
Planning ahead can help make the appointment more helpful and less stressful. Here are some steps anyone can follow:
- Write down your symptoms. Note what you feel, how often you have these feelings, and how long you’ve experienced them.
- Include important personal details. Think about any major life changes, stress, or traumatic events, past or present, that could be connected to your behavior.
- List any medical or mental conditions. Write down other health problems you have, even if they seem unrelated.
- Bring a complete list of all medicines. Remember to include prescriptions, over-the-counter pills, vitamins, and herbal supplements with their dosages.
- Make a list of questions. Being prepared helps you get the answers you need about your symptoms, mental health, and safety.
Here are some questions people often find helpful during their visit:
| Key Questions for Your Provider |
|---|
| What causes my urge to steal? |
| What treatment options are available? |
| How effective are the treatments? |
| How quickly can I expect to see improvement? |
| Will the urge to steal go away completely? |
| How often will I need therapy or support? |
| Are there medicines that can help me? |
| What are the possible side effects? |
| How do my other health issues affect treatment? |
| What support can my family provide? |
Bringing a friend or family member can also help. They might remember details you forget or ask questions you may not think of.
A support person can make the conversation feel easier and may help both you and the provider understand your situation better.
Preparing in this way supports your safety and mental health. It can also help you talk about concerns like possible legal consequences or the value of items involved.
What You Might Discuss With Your Provider
During the visit, the mental health professional will ask questions. Their goal is to understand your symptoms and how they impact your life, relationships, education, work, and safety.
These are some topics they might ask about:
- When did you first feel the urge to steal?
- How often do you experience it, and in what situations?
- Have you faced any legal consequences, such as being caught or arrested?
- Do you remember what you felt before, during, and after you took something?
- What types of things do you take, and are they needed or valuable to you?
- How do you use or dispose of those items?
- Are there triggers that make the urge stronger?
- How has this impacted your school, job, or relationships?
- Do any family members have similar conditions or other mental health problems?
- Do you drink alcohol or use other drugs? If yes, how often?
- Have you received treatment before, for any mental or physical health issue?
- Do you have any current medical conditions your provider is treating?
Your provider may ask more follow-up questions, depending on your answers. If you answer honestly and in detail, you help your provider build a clearer picture and plan for your safety and support.
This approach also helps your provider address concerns about the monetary value of stolen items or the risk of legal trouble.
It’s normal to feel nervous. Mental health professionals want to help, not judge. If you prepare, you can get the best support and guidance for managing your mental health needs.
