In the psychiatric text book 8th edition of Kaplan and Sandok, kleptomania is defined and

described as; The essential feature of kleptomania is a recurrent failure to resist impulses to
steal objects not needed for personal use or for monitory value. The objects taken are often
given away and returned surreptitiously or kept hidden. People with kleptomania usually have
the money to pay for the objects they impulsively steal. Like other impulse control disorders,
kleptomania is characterized by mounting tension before the act, followed by gratification and
easing of tension with or without guilt, remorse, or depression during the act. The stealing is not
planned and does not involve others. Although the thefts do not occur when immediate arrest is
probable, people with kleptomania do not always consider their chances of being apprehended,
even though repeated arrest leads to pain and humiliation. Those people may feel guilt and
anxiety after the theft, but they do not feel anger or vengeance. Furthermore, when the object
stolen is the goal, the diagnosis is not kleptomania, in kleptomania the act of stealing is itself the
goal.
Causes of Kleptomania
Kleptomania seems to be a more female-dominant disorder and the true cause of
kleptomania remains a mystery. There have been no rigorous or conclusive studies on the
neurological basis of kleptomania, although it may have a genetic component and may be
transmitted among first-degree relatives. This disorder may begin in childhood, adolescence, or
adulthood and in rare cases in late adulthood. Most researchers suggest that individuals with
Kleptomania tend to have a difficult childhood encompassing loneliness, marital conflicts and
low self esteem. There also seems to be a strong propensity for kleptomania to coexist with
obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, and clinical depression.
Some have provided clues about its possible causes and locations within the nervous
system. There are several theories that suggest that changes in the brain may be at the root of
kleptomania. Kleptomania may be linked to problems with naturally occurring brain chemical
(neurotransmitter) called serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate moods and emotions. Low levels of
serotonin are common in people prone to impulsive behaviors.
Kleptomania can also be related to addictive disorders, and stealing may cause the release
of dopamine (another neurotransmitter). Dopamine causes pleasurable feelings, and some people
seek this rewarding feeling again and again.
It often occurs with other psychological disorders. These include: depression, anxiety,
substance abuse (e.g. alcoholism, drug abuse), eating disorders (e.g. anorexia, bulimia), and other
impulse control disorders.

Other research has found that kleptomania can occur after someone sustains a head
injury: a trauma to the head damaging connections between the frontal and orbital lobes of the
brain, inadequate blood supply to the temporal lobe, a defect in the molecule that transports
serotonin and decreased axons and dendrites in the frontal lobe, impeding information flow
between the frontal lobe and thalamus/limbic system, where moods, emotions and desires are
controlled.


Subtypes of Kleptomania
Pickpockets or as they like to be called, Finger smiths, are a common form of
kleptomaniac. Their hands can always be found in a pocket or two. It is actually more suspicious
if their hand is in their own pocket especially if they are smiling, creepy.
The Random Striker breed of kleptomaniac may only experience anywhere from a few
bouts if "steatites" in their lifetime to semi regular occurrences. These episodes are usually
triggered by something external like the jingle of keys, the sound of a coin hitting the ground, or
a man dressed as a leprechaun whispering in your ear to "steal it, that's what Gandhi would have
wanted".
The third one is Abstract Acquire this rare breed attempts to acquire that which is not
theirs nor is tangible. Some things attempted to be acquired by these kleptomaniac Arts students
over time have been the concept of freedom, equality, the cost of electricity, the Matrix and Al
Gore.
According to Goldman and Grant (2004) patients with kleptomania often report amnesia
surrounding the act of shoplifting and deny feelings of tension or arousal prior to shoplifting and
feelings of pleasure or relief, after the thefts. They often recall entering and leaving the store but
have no memory of events in the store, including the theft.

Other patients who are not amnesty for the thefts, describe shoplifting as automatic or
a habit and may also deny feelings of tension prior to a theft or pleasure of the act. Some
patients report that they felt tension and pleasure when they started stealing, but it became a
habit over time.
Signs and Symptoms
Some of the fundamental components of kleptomania include recurring intrusion
thoughts, impotence to resist the compulsion to engage in stealing, and the release of pressure
following the act. These symptoms suggest that kleptomania could be regarded as an obsessive-
compulsive type of disorder.
Persons diagnosed with kleptomania often have other types of disorders involving mood,
anxiety, eating, impulse control and drug use. They also have great levels of stress, guilt, and
remorse and privacy issues accompanying the act of stealing. These signs are considered to
either cause or intensify general comosbid disorders. The characteristics of the behaviors
associated with stealing could result in other problems as well, which include social segregation
and substance abuse.
Here are some five symptoms of this kind of disorder:
An intense urge to steal: This is the most prominent of all kleptomania symptoms.
Kleptomaniacs do not need the items they steal. In fact, very often, these items are not
even used by them. Items could include paper clips, pens, flowers, spoons, or pencils.
Kleptomaniacs are usually anxious, stressed, and tense. They steal in order to calm
themselves. Stealing is the only way they can relieve themselves of this tension.
Kleptomania signs include restlessness and unexplained anxiety before stealing.
A feeling of relief, fear, or anxiety after stealing: Some kleptomaniacs feel a sense of
relief after stealing. They may even feel calm after the episode. On the other hand, others
may exhibit symptoms such as guilt, remorse, fear, and self-loathing. However, almost all
find it impossible to control their kleptomania, and as a result, the cycle repeats itself
sooner or later.
Lack of malice: People suffering from this impulse-control disorder do not hold a grudge
against the person they are stealing from. This is one of the symptoms of kleptomania
that differentiates shop-lifters and kleptomaniacs. Kleptomaniacs do not steal for personal
gain. They steal because they find it almost impossible to control their urge. They do not
target a particular individual or a shop for a specific reason. They steal to alleviate their
anxiety.
Compulsive stealing: This is one of the symptoms of kleptomania that makes it an
impulse disorder. These people steal regularly, mostly from public places. Although some
of them feel guilty after stealing, the anxiety and need for euphoria sets in again, making
them repeat the act.
Lack of conduct disorder or manic episodes: Kleptomania symptoms do not include
antisocial or manic behavior. People exhibiting signs of kleptomania do not need an
accomplice; they stealthily pick an item and leave the place. The item is stashed away
along with other stolen items from different places. They do not behave inappropriately
or suffer from conduct disorders. They do not get violent or psychotic. They just steal,
compulsively.




Management
Treatment of Kelptomania commonly involves medications and psychotherapy, along
with self-help groups. But, theres no standard treatment to kleptomania and researchers are still
trying to understand the condition and what may work best.
Medications
Antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to
treat kleptomania. These include fluoxetine (Prozac, Prozac Weekly), paroxetine (Paxil,
Paxil CR), fluvoxamine (Luvox, Luvox CR) and others.
Mood stabilizers. These medications are meant to even out your mood so that you don't
have rapid or uneven changes that may trigger urges to steal. One mood stabilizer used to
treat kleptomania is lithium (Lithobid).
Anti-seizure medications. Although originally intended for seizure disorders, these
medications have shown benefits in certain mental health disorders, possibly including
kleptomania. Examples include topiramate (Topamax) and valproic acid (Depakene,
Stavzor).
Addiction medications. Naltrexone (Revia, Vivitrol), known technically as an opioid
antagonist, blocks the part of your brain that feels pleasure with certain addictive
behaviors. It may reduce the urges and pleasure associated with stealing.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy has become the psychotherapy of choice for kleptomania.
In general, cognitive behavioral therapy helps the people with Kelptomania identify unhealthy,
negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. Cognitive
behavioral therapy may include these techniques to help them overcome kleptomania urges:
Covert sensitization, in which you picture yourself stealing and then facing negative
consequences, such as being caught.
Aversion therapy, in which you practice mildly painful techniques, such as holding your
breath until you become uncomfortable, when you get an urge to steal
Systematic desensitization, in which you practice relaxation techniques and picture
yourself controlling urges to steal
Other forms of therapy, such as psychodynamic therapy, family therapy or marriage
counseling, also may be helpful.