What causes a person to be a kleptomaniac?

What causes a person to be a kleptomaniac?

Kleptomania risk factors may include: Family history. Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with kleptomania, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or an alcohol or other substance use disorder may increase the risk of kleptomania. Having another mental illness.

Who is a kleptomaniac person?

A person with kleptomania has a recurring drive to steal that he or she cannot resist, stealing items for the sake of stealing, not because they need or want the items, or because they cannot afford to buy them.

Is kleptomania a disease?

First described in 1816, kleptomania is classified in psychiatry as an impulse control disorder. Some of the main characteristics of the disorder suggest that kleptomania could be an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder, but also share similarities with addictive and mood disorders.

What is the difference between kleptomania and shoplifting?

Both may seem very alike but it is important to distinguish between the two. (1) Kleptomania is the urge to steal things that are not yours and it is usually performed as a spontaneous act while shoplifting is the attempt to take things for personal use and often involves prior planning.

How can you tell a kleptomaniac?

The symptoms of kleptomania include the following:

1. An irresistible urge to steal items you don’t need or may not even really want.
2. An inability to resist stealing things you could probably afford to buy.
3. Feeling tense, anxious or excited about stealing in the moments before the behavior.

How can kleptomania be prevented?

Coping and support

1. Stick to your treatment plan. Take medications as directed and attend scheduled therapy sessions.
2. Educate yourself.
3. Identify your triggers.
4. Get treatment for substance abuse or other mental health problems.
5. Find healthy outlets.
6. Learn relaxation and stress management.
7. Stay focused on your goal.

Can a child be a kleptomaniac?

Kids might turn kleptomaniacs because of peer pressure, their desire to get something or just the pleasure of picking up things without paying. If you catch your child developing this habit, it is better to not accuse him and teach him politely why it is wrong.

What is the history of kleptomania?

Kleptomania is described in both the medical and legal literatures for centuries, dating back to the early 19th century when the Swiss physician Mathey who worked with the “insane” wrote of “a unique madness characterised by the tendency to steal without motive and without necessity.

Can kleptomania be genetic?

Kleptomania is an irresistible urge to steal. It is believed to be caused by genetics, neurotransmitter abnormalities and the presence of other psychiatric conditions.

Can a kleptomania be cured?

Your doctor may prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or an addiction medication that balances opioids to balance the brain chemistry that causes the urges to steal. While kleptomania can’t be cured, it can be treated. Continual treatment and caution is required to avoid kleptomaniac relapses.

How can I help my kleptomaniac child?

Treatment for Kleptomania

1. When it comes to your teen the best treatment for kleptomania involves therapy and/or counseling.
2. Family counseling is also helpful.
3. Let them know that they are not alone in this and that there is kleptomania treatment.
4. Kleptomania typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood.

What is the most effective treatment for kleptomania?

Your doctor may consider prescribing: An addiction medication called naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, which may reduce the urges and pleasure associated with stealing. An antidepressant — specifically a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Other medications or a combination of medications.