When you say someone is a maniac, what does it mean? Probably that they're a bit insane. That's because -mania is Greek for insanity. This suffix, combined with klepto-, which means to steal, becomes the word kleptomania. In short, kleptomania is an urge to steal something, but not because the person wants to use the stolen item for themselves or because they want to gain from the theft financially.
So, a bank robber who loves stealing cash to support his hedonistic lifestyle wouldn't count as a kleptomaniac. A kleptomaniac, on the other hand, would be more likely to steal things they really have no use for and sometimes have very little financial value whatsoever. Kleptomaniacs also do not steal as a result of anger, vengeance, hallucination, or delusion.
Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder. An impulse control disorder refers to a disorder where a person cannot resist the impulse to perform something that is harmful to themselves and/or society. An impulse is an uncontrollable urge to perform an act of some sort. The term impulse control disorder also implies that the person has problems with emotional and behavioral self-control while trying to resist the temptation of performing a harmful act.
Kleptomania involves compulsive stealing as well. The word compulsion implies an uncontrollable and repetitive action. Meaning, a person with kleptomania has a recurrent failure to resist an impulse to steal. A person with kleptomania may feel a lot of tension prior to the theft, a sense of relief during the theft, a lot of guilt after the theft, and then an irresistible urge to steal again sometime thereafter.
 |
No one is sure why kleptomania occurs. It may be that low levels of a biochemical in the brain, called serotonin, may make a person more prone to impulsive behaviors. Imbalance in other biochemicals called opioids may make it difficult for a person to resist an urge. Also, because the act of stealing brings pleasure, it may release potentially addictive biochemicals called dopamine. This reinforces the behavior.
Substance abuse, injuries to the head, degenerative neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, as well as some tumors have been linked to various impulse control disorders and they may play a role in causing kleptomania as well as a result.
Like many psychiatric disorders, kleptomania may need to be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Since scientists believe low levels of serotonin may be involved, a drug that increases the levels of serotonin may be used. Because an imbalance of opioids may be to blame, then drugs that block the action of opioids may be given.
Cognitive behavior therapy is also used to treat kleptomania. Many techniques are used in this type of therapy. One of them is known as covert sensitization. So, a person with kleptomania would be asked to imagine stealing something, then suffering the negative consequences of this theft like an embarrassing mug shot all over the Internet, a criminal record, the loss of a job, jail time, and so forth. Imagination can also be used in systematic desensitization, which is where the person sees himself or herself controlling their urge to steal and uses relaxation techniques to help them with this, many of which are similar to meditation.
Another technique is called aversion therapy. This is the association of a mildly painful act with the urge to steal. For example, the person may be asked to hold their breath until they become uncomfortable when they are thinking of stealing.
Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder where a person has an uncontrollable urge to repetitively steal various objects, but not for financial gain or because they want to use the object themselves. The causes of kleptomania are not fully clear. Some suspect that head injuries, drug abuse, as well as low levels of serotonin may play a role.
Consequently, therapy is aimed at both the physiological and psychological aspects of this disorder. Drugs that increase the level of serotonin in the brain may be used alongside psychotherapeutic techniques, like aversion therapy, to try and minimize the chances a person with kleptomania will steal again.
The contents of the Study.com Site, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Study.com Site ('Content') are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Study.com Site.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Study.com does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by Study.com, Study.com employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Study.com, or other visitors to the Site is solely at your own risk.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Already a member? Log In
BackAlready registered? Log in here for access
Did you know… We have over 200 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.
To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page
Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.
Back To Course
Introduction to Psychology: Homework Help Resource14 chapters | 246 lessons
{{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons | {{course.flashcardSetCount}} flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? 's' : ''}}
| 30 day money back guarantee | ||||
|
Starting
Original Price |
/yr | /mo | ||
| Just Just | /day | |||
| Parent Admin Account | $0 | /mo | ||
| /yr | /mo | |||
|
Starting
Original Price |
/yr | /mo | ||
| Discount For months |
- % - | / | ||
| Referral Credit | - | |||
|
Price after trial Starting Price starting today |
/ | |||
| Referral Credit |
- | |||
| Price starting today | / | |||
| Just Just | Just Just | /day | ||
| 30 day money back guarantee | ||
| Save % off monthly plan | /mo | |
| Just | /mo | |
| Price | /yr | |
Your Cart is Empty. Please Choose a Product.
Watch 5 minute video clips, get step by step explanations, take practice quizzes and tests to master any topic.
Study.com has a library of 550,000 questions and answers for covering your toughest textbook problems
I love the way expert tutors clearly explains the answers to my homework questions. Keep up the good work!
- Maritess, College StudentStudy.com video lessons have helped over 30 million students.
"I learned more in 10 minutes than 1 month of chemistry classes"
- Ashlee P.
"I learned more in 10 minutes than 1 month of chemistry classes"
- Ashlee P.
"I aced the CLEP exam and earned 3 college credits!"
- Clair S.
Over 65 million users have prepared for {{displayNameByProductKey[registrationData.product || testPrepCocoon]}} and other exams on Study.com
"The videos have changed the way I teach! The videos on Study.com accomplish in 5 minutes what would take me an entire class."
- Chris F.
Over 65 million users have prepared for {{displayNameByProductKey[registrationData.product || testPrepCocoon]}} and other exams on Study.com
Over 65 million users have prepared for {{displayNameByProductKey[registrationData.product || testPrepCocoon]}} and other exams on Study.com
