Kleptomania: Stealing Disease

  • 29 Jan 2023
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Kleptomania is a mental health problem popularly known as stealing disease or stealing disease . It is a psychological disorder that causes people to want to steal something out of the blue. However, it is an important issue that should not be confused with normal theft cases.

What is Stealing Disease?

Unlike typical thieves, stealing patients; They do not steal for personal gain, to test their courage, to take revenge or for attention. On the contrary, their urge to steal is so strong that they cannot prevent it. Stealing attacks often happen spontaneously, without planning, and without help from another person.

Kleptomania often steal in public places such as stores and supermarkets. Some may steal other people's belongings in their friend environment or in social environments such as parties or invitations.

What are the Characteristics of Kleptomaniac Patients?

Most of the time, stolen items are of no value to the kleptomaniac . One can afford to buy them. Stolen items are usually kept unused. Some kleptomaniacs even donate stolen items or gift them to family members and friends. Others take it back to where they stole it secretly and leave it.

Causes of Kleptomania

Of stealing disease are as follows:

  • After stealing, a chemical called dopamine is released, which arouses emotions such as reward and motivation. Kleptomania patients want to experience this feeling again, and this can create addiction in the person.
  • Some chemicals called neurotransmitters provide communication between nerve cells in the brain. Some disorders in these chemicals can cause kleptomania.
  • It increases the risk of stealing disease in people with certain psychological disorders.
  • It has been observed that serotonin levels are quite low in people who have been diagnosed with kleptomania or who are prone to impulse control disorders.
  • There is a possibility of kleptomania after brain trauma.
  • Some diseases such as forgetfulness and epilepsy also increase the risk of stealing disease.

What are the Symptoms of Stealing Disease?

kleptomania are as follows:

  • There is pleasure, joy or relaxation while playing.
  • They are repeatedly unable to resist the urge to steal objects that are not needed for personal use or monetary value.
  • Stealing behavior is not done for the purpose of breaking the law.
  • Before the stealing behavior, they experience a state of increasing tension.
  • People with kleptomania do not steal because of anger or hallucinations.

Kleptomania Treatment

The stealing disease is not treated, it can cause serious emotional, legal and financial problems in private and business life. Although feelings of fear or shame can make it difficult to seek treatment for stealing, it is important to seek help. Because it is difficult for a person to overcome kleptomania on their own. Untreated, kleptomania will remain an ongoing and long-term condition.

Treatment of kleptomania typically includes one or both of psychotherapy and medication. However, there is no standard treatment for kleptomania and research on this subject is still ongoing. A person with kleptomania may have to try several types of treatment to find out which type of treatment works best.

Treatment options are as follows:

Medicines: There is little scientific research on the use of psychiatric drugs in the treatment of kleptomania. There is no FDA-approved drug for stealing disease. However, the following drugs or drug groups can be prescribed for the treatment of kleptomania:

  • Antidepressants: Especially those with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are preferred.
  • Naltrexone: An opioid antagonist that can reduce the urges and pleasures associated with stealing, naltrexone is actually an addiction drug.

Psychotherapy: A type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy; It helps to identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones.

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