How to Help a Loved One Suffering with Kleptomania

Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder in which individuals are unable to prevent themselves from taking things that they do not need for monetary value or personal use, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR (2000). It is not currently known how many individuals suffer from kleptomania in the United States, but researchers have determined less than 5% of all identified shoplifters are affected with this condition.

Do you know someone who suffers from kleptomania? You can learn the characteristics of kleptomania as well as how to help someone with this condition in this article.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR (2000), kleptomania is an impulse control disorder constituted by an inability to stop oneself from stealing things one does not need for monetary purposes or personal use. Furthermore, an individual with kleptomania feels tension before stealing and feels relief, pleasure, and/or gratification while committing the crime. Additionally, stealing is not done in response to a hallucination or delusion or to show vengeance or anger. Finally, the stealing must not be better accounted for by Antisocial Personality Disorder, a manic episode, or Conduct Disorder.

Kleptomania can begin in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood, and researchers have discovered three patterns for the disorder: chronic, episodic, and sporadic (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR, 2000). Chronic kleptomania is constituted by a consistent pattern of stealing with some variation. Sporadic kleptomania is characterized by short periods where an individual steals followed by long periods of remission, and episodic kleptomania, which is constituted by long periods where an individual commits theft followed by long periods of remission.

Individuals with kleptomania may suffer many consequences for their delinquent behaviors. According to Mayo Clinic, some of the consequences individuals with kleptomania may suffer include feeling shame, guilt, and remorse, being arrested and/or put in jail, compulsive gambling or shopping, depression, alcohol or substance abuse, eating disorders, anxiety, social isolation, and suicidal ideation. Additionally, if someone who suffers from kleptomania is convicted of one or more thefts, he or she will have a more difficult time getting a job.

If you have a loved one with kleptomania, there are things you can do to help him or her. First and foremost, it is important for individuals who suffer from this condition to get professional help. As a loved one, you can encourage the individual to seek professional mental health services. Typical kleptomania treatment includes both psychotherapy and medication, so it is best for an individual with kleptomania to seek both a therapist and a psychiatrist. You can help your loved one by calling local therapists and psychiatrist in order to determine who has experience in treating individuals with kleptomania. If your loved one is too scared to seek treatment on his or her own, offer to go with your loved one to the first few appointments with the therapist and psychiatrist in order to support him or her.
Additionally, you can search your local newspapers and the Internet for support groups for individuals who suffer from kleptomania and encourage your loved one to join the group. There are support forums for individuals with kleptomania on-line as well, which you can research and encourage your loved one to join.

Be there for your loved one. Let him or her know you are available to talk about things when they are bothering or upsetting your loved one. Likewise, let your loved one know you are there for him or her to share his or her joys and happiness with you. Having someone available to talk with can help someone with kleptomania tremendously.

Encourage your loved one to find other, more positive outlets for his or her uncomfortable feelings, such as talking to you, his or her therapist, or support group, writing in a journal, drawing or painting, playing a musical instrument, exercising, or doing some volunteer work. Having a positive outlet to express feelings will help someone who suffers with kleptomania avoid stealing and channel his or her in a healthier way.

Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder, which can cause many problems for individuals who suffer with it. As a loved one of someone who suffers from kleptomania, you can help the individual get the help he or she needs.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic: Kleptomania: Complications:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kleptomania/DS01034/DSECTION=complications

Mayo Clinic: Kleptomania: Treatments And Drugs:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kleptomania/DS01034/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR. 2000. American Psychiatric Association: Washington, D.C.