Kleptomania disorder manual#

The disorder is often diagnosed when patients seek help for another reason, such as depression, bulimia, or for feeling emotionally unstable (labile) or unhappy in general (dysphoric). Diagnosisĭiagnosing kleptomania is usually difficult since patients do not seek medical help for this complaint, and initial psychological assessments may not detect it. Other studies have reported a particularly high (65%) correlation of kleptomania in patients with bulimia. In patients who have histories of obsessive-compulsive disorder, some studies suggest a 7% correlation with kleptomania. Studies suggest that 0.6% of the general population may have this disorder and that it is more common in females.

The behavior is not better accounted for by a conduct disorder, manic episode, or antisocial personality disorder.

The theft is not motivated by anger or vengeance, and is not caused by a delusion or hallucination.

Pleasure or relief upon committing the theft.

Increasing tension immediately before the theft.

Repeated theft of objects that are unnecessary for either personal use or monetary value.

Kleptomania disorder manual#

The 2000 edition of this manual (fourth edition, text revision), known as the DSM-IV-TR, lists five diagnostic criteria for kleptomania: It is the primary reference for mental health professionals in the United States. Published by the American Psychiatric Association, the DSM contains diagnostic criteria and research findings for mental disorders. The handbook used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. There also seems to be a strong propensity for kleptomania to coexist with obsessive-compulsive disorder, bulimia nervosa, and clinical depression. The cause of kleptomania is unknown, although it may have a genetic component and may be transmitted among first-degree relatives. One theory proposes that the thrill of stealing helps to alleviate symptoms in persons who are clinically depressed. There may be preferred objects and environments where theft occurs.

People with this disorder usually exhibit guilt after the theft.ĭetection of kleptomania, even by significant others, is difficult and the disorder often proceeds undetected. The recurrent act of stealing may be restricted to specific objects and settings, but the affected person may or may not describe these special preferences. People with this disorder have an overwhelming urge to steal and get a thrill from doing so. Other coexisting mental disorders may include major depression, panic attacks, social phobia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, substance abuse, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is often seen in patients who are chemically dependent or who have a coexisting mood, anxiety, or eating disorder. Kleptomania is a complex disorder characterized by repeated, failed attempts to stop stealing. Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by a recurrent failure to resist stealing.