Kleptomania

Kleptomania is a rare but serious mental health disorder that can cause much emotional pain to you and your loved ones if not treated.

It is a type of impulse control disorder — a disorder that’s characterize by problems with emotional or behavioral self-control.

If you have an impulse control disorder, you have difficulty resisting the temptation or drive to perform an act that’s excessive or harmful to you or someone else.

Many people with this live lives of secret shame because they’re afraid to seek mental health treatment.

Although there’s no cure for kleptomania, treatment with medication or talk therapy(psychotherapy) may help to end the cycle of compulsive stealing. [1]

People with kleptomania commonly feel depressed or guilty about the thefts after they occur.

About 0.3 to 0.6 percent of people are estimate to experience this condition, and it is more common among females than males, according to the DSM-5. [2]

Symptoms may include:

• Inability to resist powerful urges to steal items that you don’t need
• Feeling increased tension, anxiety or arousal just before theft
• Feel pleasure, relief or gratification while stealing
• Feeling terrible guilt, remorse, self-loathing, shame or fear of arrest after the theft
• Return of the urges and a repetition of the kleptomania cycle

Features:

People with kleptomania typically exhibit these features or characteristics:

• Unlike typical shoplifters, people with kleptomania don’t compulsively steal for personal gain, on a dare, for revenge or out of rebellion. They steal simply because the urge is so powerful that they can’t resist it.
• Episodes of kleptomania generally occur spontaneously, usually without planning and without help or collaboration from another person.
• Most people with kleptomania steal from public places, such as stores and supermarkets. Some may steal from friends or acquaintances, such as at a party.
• Often, the stolen items have no value to the person with kleptomania, and the person can afford to buy them.
• The stolen items are usually stash away, never to be used. Items may also be donated, given away to family or friends, or even secretly return to the place from which they were stolen.
• Urges to steal may come and go or may occur with greater or lesser intensity over the course of time. [1]

The cause of kleptomania is unknown, although it may have a genetic component and may be transmitted among first-degree relatives.

Problem in Neurotransmitters:

• Kleptomania appears to involve the neurotransmitter pathways in the brain associated with the serotonin, dopamine, also opioid systems, according to the DSM-5. [2]
• Moreover, Serotonin helps regulate moods and emotions. Low levels of serotonin are common in people prone to impulsive behaviors.
• Lastly, Dopamine causes pleasurable feelings, also some people seek this rewarding feeling again and again. [1]

The brain’s opioid system:

• Urges are regulated by the brain’s opioid system. Additionally, An imbalance in this system could make it harder to resist urges. [1]

Mental illness:

• People with kleptomania often have another mental illness, such as confusing disorder, anxiety disorder, an eating disorder, substance use disorder or a personality disorder, depression.

The DSM-5 criteria for a diagnosis of kleptomania include:

• Recurrent impulses to steal and instances of stealing objects that are not need for personal use or financial gain
• Feeling increased tension right before the theft
• Feeling pleasure, gratification, or relief at the time of the theft
• Thefts are not commit in response to delusions or hallucinations, or as expressions of revenge or anger
• Thefts cannot better explained by Antisocial Personality Disorder, Conduct Disorder, or a manic episode

The age of onset for kleptomania is variable. It can begin in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood and in rare cases, late adulthood. [2]

The symptoms of kleptomania include combination of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology.

Counseling or therapy may be in a group or one-on-one setting.

It is usually aimed at dealing with underlying psychological problems that may be contributing to kleptomania. [2]

Possible treatments include:

• 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 [1]
• Behavior modification therapy
• Family therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy [2]

Medications:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which raise serotonin levels in the brain, may also be used to treat kleptomania. [2]
• An addiction medication called naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, which may reduce the urges and pleasure associated with stealing. [1]

Homeopathic treatment for kleptomania is  natural, safe and without any side-effects, and one can enjoy immense relief from these frustrating symptoms.

It is a patient-oriented science and medicines are prescribed on the characteristics of the individual rather than just the symptoms of the disease.

When kleptomania is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

Absinthium:

• Generally, Absinthium is one of the best remedies for kleptomania , where the person forgets what has recently happened.
• Furthermore, Hallucinations, loss of memory also frightful visions are other nature of this remedy.

Calcarea Carbonica:

• Calcarea carb is one of the top remedies for kleptomania with inclination to steal also tell lies.
• They are easily excited and suspicious. Calcarea carb persons are low spirited and apathetic.

Belladonna:

• Belladonna people are easily excitable , also they have a desire to escape or hide.
• In detail, Acuteness of all senses is another character of Belladonna.
• Starts in fright at the approach of others.

Opium:

• Opium is indicated for kleptomania with a tendency to steal and lie.
• They have perversion of all senses.
• Opium person is irritable, nervous, also have a tendency to start.
• Fears especially after fright, which remains.

Pulsatilla Nigricans:

• Pulsatilla is suited to mild, timid also tearful persons with changeable moods.
• Weeps easily.
• Craves company.
• They are suspicious and disgusted at everything.
• Easily offended nature.

Staphysagria:

• In general, Staphysagria is another effective remedy for kleptomania, with want of self control.
• They are sensitive both emotionally also physically.
• Hypochondriacal.
• Great indignation about the things done by others or by himself, grieves about the consequences.
• Lastly, They are irritable, nervous and excitable.

Sulphur:

• Sulphur is indicated for stealing habit in tobacco users or gamblers.
• They are very selfish, no regard for others.
• They are highly impulsive.
• All in all, Foolish happiness and pride, thinks himself in possession of beautiful things, everything looks pretty which the person takes a fancy to , even rags seem beautiful or immensely wealthy.

Thuja Occidentalis:

• Thuja occidentalis is another medicine for kleptomania , where the person have full of hidden plans.
• They are over excited, angry or anxious  about trifles.
• Dullness of mind is another nature of Thuja occidentalis.
• They are irritable, quarrelsome, also jealous.
• They have fixed ideas. [3]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kleptomania?

Kleptomania is the recurrent inability to resist urges to steal items that you generally don’t really need and that usually have little value.

Homeopathic Medicines used by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of Kleptomania?

• Absinthium
• Calcarea Carb
• Belladonna
• Opium
• Pulsatilla
• Staphysagria
• Sulphur
• Thuja

What causes Kleptomania?

• Problem in Neurotransmitters
• The brain’s opioid system
• Mental illness

What are the symptoms of Kleptomania?

• Inability to resist powerful urges to steal items that you don’t need
• Feeling increased tension, anxiety or arousal just before theft
• Feel pleasure, relief or gratification while stealing
• Feeling terrible guilt, remorse, self-loathing, shame or fear of arrest after the theft
• Return of the urges and a repetition of the kleptomania cycle