Lynn* vividly recalls the first time she stole something—a child’s toy from a friend when she was just seven years old. While such behavior is not uncommon among young children, who often outgrow the habit, Lynn’s compulsion to steal persisted and intensified as she grew older. By the age of 22, the urge to steal had become a dominant force in her life.
“Almost everywhere I go right now, I have to steal something, which is really disabling for me,” she confesses. Two years ago, Lynn was officially diagnosed with kleptomania, a mental health condition characterized by a compulsive urge to steal.
What is Kleptomania?
Kleptomania is classified as an “impulse control disorder” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a key resource for mental health professionals. Impulse control disorders are a rare cluster of conditions that include pyromania and oppositional defiant disorder.
According to Sam Chamberlain, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Southampton, individuals with kleptomania steal items impulsively, often finding it difficult to resist the urge. “Importantly, when they steal these items, it’s not because they need them, and it’s not for personal or financial gain,” he explains.
“The typical pattern of behavior for someone with kleptomania is a sense of tension that builds up before the theft, followed by a feeling of gratification or release after they’ve done it,” Dr. Chamberlain notes.
Lynn describes the urges as feeling like an irresistible pull towards an object, akin to a reflexive action like sneezing or yawning. After stealing, she experiences a rush of euphoria, quickly followed by overwhelming guilt.
Understanding the Disorder
Despite being documented in medical literature for centuries, kleptomania remains poorly understood. “It’s really stigmatized and hidden,” Dr. Chamberlain says. This stigma can exacerbate the suffering of those with the condition and complicate research efforts, as individuals may be reluctant to participate in studies.
“The evidence suggests about three to six in every 1,000 people have kleptomania,” Dr. Chamberlain states, highlighting its rarity compared to more prevalent conditions like anxiety and depression.
Kleptomania typically emerges during adolescence and is thought to be more common in women than men, though this finding is based on limited data. The condition can be debilitating, with individuals like Lynn avoiding social situations for fear of succumbing to their urges.
Causes and Brain Differences
Research into the causes of kleptomania is limited. However, individuals with severe symptoms are more likely to have other conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or an eating disorder, and tend to exhibit higher levels of impulsivity.
Brain studies reveal subtle differences in the white matter tracts of those with kleptomania compared to those without the condition. “We also see changes in these tracts in people with conditions like ADHD or OCD,” Dr. Chamberlain explains, suggesting common neurological processes may contribute to these disorders.
Treatment and Management
Following her diagnosis, Lynn explored various strategies to manage her impulses, including therapy, listening to recordings of friends’ encouragement, and carrying a card listing the consequences of stealing. She was also prescribed naltrexone, a medication primarily used to treat alcohol use disorder, which has shown promise in reducing kleptomania symptoms.
“A small but high-quality study found naltrexone was better than a placebo in reducing both urges and actual stealing,” Dr. Chamberlain notes, though he cautions about potential side effects.
Despite these efforts, Lynn has not found a treatment that effectively curbs her stealing. She continues to manage as best she can, hoping to avoid being caught. “I have never been caught, and I hope to let it stay that way. But I’m not sure how long I will be able to,” she admits.
*Lynn’s name has been changed to protect her identity.
