“Dupahiya” is an Indian drama series that revolves around a
crime-free village. One of the characters, Amavas, suffers from kleptomania. He
lost his girlfriend due to his disorder, and the villagers expelled him from
the community because of his stealing habit. Amavas steals purely for his own
pleasure. In one episode, he steals the mobile phone belonging to his
girlfriend's father. When questioned about this act, he explained that he was
simply attracted to the phone's back cover, which is why he took it.
Kleptomania is an impulse
control disorder characterized by a recurrent failure to resist impulses to
steal objects that are not needed for personal use or for their monetary value.
People with kleptomania often feel a sense of tension before stealing and
experience pleasure or relief afterward. Kleptomaniac stealing is not committed
to express anger or revenge and does not arise from delusions or
hallucinations. Unlike shoplifters, a person with kleptomania does not plan to
steal items in advance and does not seek help from another person. They may
hoard the stolen items or sometimes secretly return them. People with
kleptomania feel guilt, shame, or regret after stealing, as they are aware that
their actions are wrong. Neurotransmitter pathways associated with behavioural
addiction, including serotonin, dopamine, and opioid systems, play a role in
kleptomania. Psychoanalytic theories link compulsive stealing to childhood
trauma and neglectful or abusive parents, suggesting that stealing may
symbolize recovering losses from childhood. Kleptomania has also been linked to
psychosexual issues such as sexual repression and suppression. This disorder
appears to be highly associated with mood disorders, eating disorders,
substance use disorders, and anxiety disorders.
The estimated prevalence of
kleptomania is around 0.3% to 0.6% of the general population, and women are
more likely to be diagnosed with kleptomania than men. The onset of kleptomania
often occurs during adolescence, but it can develop at any stage of life, and
in rare cases, in late adulthood. This disorder may cause legal, family,
career, and personal difficulties and has been associated with an increased
risk for suicide attempts.
Treatment for kleptomania
typically involves a combination of psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT), and potentially medication, like antidepressants or medications
used to reduce urges. CBT helps individuals identify and modify negative
thoughts and behaviours associated with kleptomania and learn healthier coping
mechanisms. Aversion therapy also uses unpleasant stimuli to discourage the
urge to steal.
Antidepressants, particularly
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be used to help regulate
mood and reduce impulsive behaviours. Naltrexone is also a medication used in
addiction treatment that may help reduce urges and the pleasure associated with
stealing.
Understanding kleptomania is
crucial for developing effective treatment strategies and supporting those
affected by the disorder, ultimately fostering a path toward recovery and
healthier coping mechanisms.
Talih, F. R. (2011, October 1). Kleptomania
and potential exacerbating factors: A review and case report. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3225132/
American Psychiatric
Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://www.academia.edu/87962793/DSM_5_TR_English_
Durst, R., Katz, G., Teitelbaum, A., Zislin, J., &
Dannon, P. N. (2001). Kleptomania. CNS Drugs, 15(3), 185–195. https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-200115030-00003
