Stealing definitely is looked down upon since it is the act of taking something without permission. Not only that, it is also a criminal act. So, while many may associate stealing and theft with the need to get extra income, some just have the urge to steal for no proper purpose. These urges get so out of hand that they want to steal even if they not will land them in great trouble. This can be denoted as a mental disorder named kleptomania.?
Kleptomania is when a person can not resist the urge to steal something. This is a mental disorder where a person has a need to shoplift or steal even small things that serve them no purpose as such. They even steal things that they can easily afford to buy.?
People with kleptomania get an intense thrill when they steal something. This also leads them to feel guilt and sadness after the deed is done. As per a study by psychiatry.com, Kleptomania is a rare but recognized mental disorder. However, it is so rare that it occurs in just 0.3%¨C0.6% of the population.?
According to the National Library of Medicine, women and females who are assigned at birth (AFAB) are three times more likely to have kleptomania than men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). There are cases diagnosed as young as age 4 and as old as age 77. So this can happen to anyone of any age.?
Even though kleptomania is a mental disorder, it is caused due to various different reasons. Some of them are as follows:
People with this disorder generally tend to have a difference in their brain structure. Especially when it comes to the areas that manage impulse control and inhibitions, there is a slight difference that leads to fewer connections in the brain that control these inhibitions.?
To manage certain processes in the brain, there are neurotransmitters to communicate everything. It has been noted that when people take medications that affect a person's?neurotransmitter, it can lead to them having kleptomania. However, the cases are rare.?
For many, kleptomania is considered a symptom and not a full-fledged condition. This can be a symptom of several other mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, addictions, eating disorders and even those who use substances. These people tend to have a higher risk of self-harm and even suicide.?
As per clevelandclinic.org, it has not been confirmed if kleptomania can be transferred due to genetics. Even though it has been noted that these people have a family history where the members have mental disorders such as anxiety and mood disorders, it has been confirmed that it is due to genetics.?
The first way to understand if a person has kleptomania is to identify if they are actually going through it. Even though there is less research on what actually specifically works for this condition, here are a few treatment options that may work:
Cognitive behavioural therapy is the most common method to treat kleptomania. This generally uses means to make the person understand why they do the things they generally do and what are the reasons leading them to steal things. This also helps them understand how they can change their behaviour and what can be done to avoid this behaviour. There are practices that help with relaxation techniques. There are also ways in which one can imagine doing the negative deed and imagine the negative consequences caused by it.?
As per Healthline, there are certain medications that can help address mood or mental health disorders, like depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. The concerned healthcare expert may prescribe addiction medication that balances opioids to balance the brain chemistry that causes the urges to steal.
Numerous individuals affected by kleptomania can manage their condition by employing strategies to resist the urge to steal. One approach is to shop in the company of another person or choose locations where stealing is more challenging. Consulting with a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counsellor, can assist in developing a personalized strategy tailored to your needs.? ? ?
These are some strategies and ways to help to make things better.?