Kleptomania

For other uses, see Kleptomania (disambiguation).

Kleptomania
Classification and external resources
ICD-10	F63.2
ICD-9	312.32
MeSH	D007174

Kleptomania (from Greek: κλέπτειν, kleptein, "to steal", and μανία, "mania") is an irresistible urge to steal items of trivial value. People with this disorder are compelled to steal things, generally, but not limited to, objects of little or no significant value, such as pens, paper clips, paper and tape. Some kleptomaniacs may not even be aware that they have committed the theft^{[dubious – discuss]}.

Kleptomania was first officially recognized in the US as a mental disorder in the 1960s^{[citation needed]} in the case of State of California v. Douglas Jones.^{[citation needed]}

Kleptomania is distinguished from shoplifting or ordinary theft, as shoplifters and thieves generally steal for monetary value, or associated gains and usually display intent or premeditation, while kleptomaniacs are not necessarily contemplating the value of the items they steal or even the theft until they are compelled without motive.

Increasing brain research and clinical work indicate that shoplifting and stealing can become addictive-compulsive disorders.^{[citation needed]} Hence, the terms "shoplifting addiction" or "theft addiction" or "compulsive theft or stealing" have gained popularity and credence recently.^{[citation needed]} There even are books^{[citation needed]} and support groups^{[citation needed]} devoted to recovery from addictive-compulsive shoplifting or stealing. Most "theft addicts" are neither kleptomaniacs nor typical criminals who steal for profit or due to sociopathic or characterological issues.^[1]

This disorder usually manifests during puberty^{[citation needed]} and, in some cases, may last throughout the person's life.^{[citation needed]}

People with this disorder are likely to have a comorbid condition, specifically paranoid, schizoid or borderline personality disorder.^[2] Kleptomania can occur after traumatic brain injury and/or carbon monoxide poisoning.^[3][4]

Kleptomania is usually thought of as part of the obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum, although emerging evidence suggests that it may be more similar to addictive and mood disorders. In particular, this disorder is frequently co-morbid with substance use disorders, and it is common for individuals with kleptomania to have first-degree relatives who suffer from a substance use disorder.^[5]

Relationship to OCD

Kleptomania is frequently thought of as being a part of obsessive-compulsive disorder, since the irresistible and uncontrollable actions are similar to the frequently excessive, unnecessary and unwanted rituals of OCD. Some individuals with kleptomania demonstrate hoarding symptoms that resemble those with OCD.^[6]

Prevalence rates between the two disorders do not demonstrate a strong relationship. Studies examining the comorbidity of OCD in subjects with kleptomania have inconsistent results, with some showing a relatively high co-occurrence (45%-60%)^[7][8] while others demonstrate low rates (0%-6.5%).^[9][10] Similarly, when rates of kleptomania have been examined in subjects with OCD, a relatively low co-occurrence was found (2.2%-5.9%).^[11][12]

References

1. ^ Shulman Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery (2003).
2. ^ Grant JE (2004). "Co-occurrence of personality disorders in persons with kleptomania: a preliminary investigation". J. Am. Acad. Psychiatry Law 32 (4): 395–8. PMID 15704625. 
3. ^ Aizer A, Lowengrub K, Dannon PN (2004). "Kleptomania after head trauma: two case reports and the combination treatment strategies". Clinical neuropharmacology 27 (5): 211–5. PMID 15602100. 
4. ^ Gürlek Yüksel E, Taşkin EO, Yilmaz Ovali G, Karaçam M, Esen Danaci A (2007). "[Case report: kleptomania and other psychiatric symptoms after carbon monoxide intoxication]" (in Turkish). Türk psikiyatri dergisi = Turkish journal of psychiatry 18 (1): 80–6. PMID 17364271.  Full text available.
5. ^ Grant JE (2006). "Understanding and treating kleptomania: new models and new treatments". The Israel journal of psychiatry and related sciences 43 (2): 81–7. PMID 16910369.  Full text PDF
6. ^ Grant JE, Kim SW (2002). "Clinical characteristics and associated psychopathology of 22 patients with kleptomania". Comprehensive psychiatry 43 (5): 378–84. doi:10.1053/comp.2002.34628. PMID 12216013. 
7. ^ Presta S, Marazziti D, Dell'Osso L, Pfanner C, Pallanti S, Cassano GB (2002). "Kleptomania: clinical features and comorbidity in an Italian sample". Comprehensive psychiatry 43 (1): 7–12. doi:10.1053/comp.2002.29851. PMID 11788913. 
8. ^ McElroy SL, Pope HG, Hudson JI, Keck PE, White KL (1991). "Kleptomania: a report of 20 cases". The American journal of psychiatry 148 (5): 652–7. PMID 2018170. 
9. ^ Baylé FJ, Caci H, Millet B, Richa S, Olié JP (2003). "Psychopathology and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders in patients with kleptomania". The American journal of psychiatry 160 (8): 1509–13. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.160.8.1509. PMID 12900315.  Full text available
10. ^ Grant JE (2003). "Family history and psychiatric comorbidity in persons with kleptomania". Comprehensive psychiatry 44 (6): 437–41. doi:10.1016/S0010-440X(03)00150-0. PMID 14610719. 
11. ^ Matsunaga H, Kiriike N, Matsui T, Oya K, Okino K, Stein DJ (2005). "Impulsive disorders in Japanese adult patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder". Comprehensive psychiatry 46 (1): 43–9. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2004.07.001. PMID 15714194. 
12. ^ Fontenelle LF, Mendlowicz MV, Versiani M, (2005) Impulse control disorders in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatr Clin Neurosci. 59:30-37.