Kleptomania
Kleptomania
Lauren R Renfrow
May 6, 2015
Kleptomania is a mental illness that causes the constant urge to steal items that don’t belong to you and often have no significant value. It is classified as a type of impulse control disorder characterized by problems with emotional and behavioral self-control. Many of the people who suffer from kleptomania live lives of secret shame and will not seek treatment. There is no cure although treatment with medication and psychotherapy may help with the cycle of compulsive stealing It is estimated that over 6 billion dollars’ worth of goods are stolen each year from kleptomaniacs. According to the DSM-IV-TR fewer than 5% of shoplifters are admitted kleptomaniacs.
The cause of this disorder is unknown. Some suggest chemical and hormonal changes in the brain may be the cause but there is more research being done to better understand the disorder. Some theorist suggests that kleptomania is linked to the imbalance of the hormone serotonin, which regulates mood and emotion. Low levels of serotonin are common in people with impulse behaviors. The neurotransmitter dopamine is also linked to kleptomania. Dopamine causes pleasurable feelings and when a person steals it releases the “feel good” neurotransmitter dopamine. Typically, people with kleptomania don’t steal for a personal gain; they do it simply because they cannot resist the urge. Episodes are generally spontaneous, without thought or planning or with the help from others. The items stolen are usually put away, thrown away or never used. Some may even secretly return the items from the stolen party.
Symptoms of kleptomania include the inability to resist the urge to steal useless items, the feeling is usually increased with tension, the person has intense anxiety or arousal leading up to the theft, the feeling of relief, gratification or pleasure after the act is done, feeling of guilt, remorse, shame or fear after stealing, and the feeling of urges and
Lauren R Renfrow
May 6, 2015
Kleptomania is a mental illness that causes the constant urge to steal items that don’t belong to you and often have no significant value. It is classified as a type of impulse control disorder characterized by problems with emotional and behavioral self-control. Many of the people who suffer from kleptomania live lives of secret shame and will not seek treatment. There is no cure although treatment with medication and psychotherapy may help with the cycle of compulsive stealing It is estimated that over 6 billion dollars’ worth of goods are stolen each year from kleptomaniacs. According to the DSM-IV-TR fewer than 5% of shoplifters are admitted kleptomaniacs.
The cause of this disorder is unknown. Some suggest chemical and hormonal changes in the brain may be the cause but there is more research being done to better understand the disorder. Some theorist suggests that kleptomania is linked to the imbalance of the hormone serotonin, which regulates mood and emotion. Low levels of serotonin are common in people with impulse behaviors. The neurotransmitter dopamine is also linked to kleptomania. Dopamine causes pleasurable feelings and when a person steals it releases the “feel good” neurotransmitter dopamine. Typically, people with kleptomania don’t steal for a personal gain; they do it simply because they cannot resist the urge. Episodes are generally spontaneous, without thought or planning or with the help from others. The items stolen are usually put away, thrown away or never used. Some may even secretly return the items from the stolen party.
Symptoms of kleptomania include the inability to resist the urge to steal useless items, the feeling is usually increased with tension, the person has intense anxiety or arousal leading up to the theft, the feeling of relief, gratification or pleasure after the act is done, feeling of guilt, remorse, shame or fear after stealing, and the feeling of urges and
Cited: Gorman, L. M., & Anwar, R. F. (2014). Neeb 's Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing. Philadelphia . health research funding. (2015, May 05). Retrieved from 22 Shocking statistics of kleptomania: http://healthresearchfunding.org/ Kleptomania. (2015, May 05). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kleptomania/basics/prevention/con-20033010