Understanding Kleptomania and Kleptomanics

Our text describes a number of disorders with an irresistible impulse-usually one that will ultimately be harmful to the person affected. However, DSM-IV-TR includes fives additional impulse-control disorders (Called impulse –control disorders not elsewhere classified) that are not included under other categories…intermittent explosive disorder, pyromania, pathological gambling, trichotillomania, and kleptomania.

Kleptomania (impulsive stealing)

Origin

Kleptomania is a strong desire to steal. Often a kleptomaniac person steals things he could have bought easily or things that are not at all expensive. The person steals just for the tension or the kick. Kleptomania can be the result of emotional shortcomings during the youth.

The DSM IV says about Kleptomania:

DSM-IV 312.32 KleptomaniaDiagnostic Features

The DSM-IV states that the essential feature of Kleptomania is the recurrent failure to resist impulses to steal items even though the items are not needed for personal use or for their monetary value

1. (Criterion A). The individual experiences a rising subjective sense of tension before the theft

2. (Criterion b) and feels pleasure, gratification, or relief when committing the theft

3. (Criterion C).The stealing is not committed to express anger or vengeance, is not done in response to a delusion or hallucination

4. (Criterion D), and is not better accounted for by Conduct Disorder, a Manic Episode, or Antisocial Personality Disorder

5. (Criterion E). The objects are stolen despite the fact that they are typically of little value to the individual, who could have afforded to pay for them and often gives them away or discards them.

Occasionally the individual may hoard the stolen objects or surreptitiously return them. Although individuals with this disorder will generally avoid stealing when immediate arrest is probable (e.g., in full view of a police officer), they usually do not preplan the thefts or fully take into account the chances of apprehension. The stealing is done without assistance from, or collaboration with, others.

Symptoms

Kleptomanics have an irresistible inclination to steal. Often they throw away the stolen goods. They are mostly interested in the kick of the stealing itself. Although psychiatrists consider kleptomania as a disease, this is not a legal excuse in front of an American or British court.

DSM-IV 312.32...

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...ing away with it" produces a chemical reaction resulting in what shoplifters describe as an incredible "high" feeling. Many shoplifters will tell you that this high is their "true reward", rather than the merchandise itself.

· Drug addicts who have become addicted to shoplifting describe shoplifting as equally addicting as drugs.

· 1 in 5 adults say they started shoplifting in their teens.

· 57% of adults and 33% of juveniles say it is hard for them to stop shoplifting, even after getting caught.

· Most non-professional shoplifters don't commit other types of crimes. They'll never steal an ashtray from your house and will return to you a $20 bill you may have dropped. Their criminal activity is restricted to shoplifting and therefore, any rehabilitation program should be offense-specific for this crime.

· U.S. Retailers lose $25 Million a day, or $10 Billion a year, to shoplifting

· The Retail Industry in the U.S. loses $53.6 Billion a year due to internal loss (employee theft)