

Support groups and twelve-step programs may also be effective in treating kleptomania.

Medication may help individuals with kleptomania who may also be suffering from other mental health disorders such as as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy may also include techniques to help overcome kleptomania urges. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps the individual to identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones. Treatment options for kleptomania may include medication and psychotherapy. Many people do not seek treatment for kleptomania out of embarrassment or fear of being arrested, but getting help is important. Risk factors for developing kleptomania may include: Kleptomania risk factors may include: Family history. About two-thirds of people with known kleptomania are female. People with kleptomania usually steal items that they do not need. Women are more likely than men to develop kleptomania and it often begins during adolescence or in young adulthood. Kleptomania often begins during the teen years or in young adulthood, but it can start later. Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder that involves an uncontrollable urge to steal.

Kleptomania also may be related to addictive disorders, which cause people to engage in behaviors over and over,even if the behavior is harmful. Low levels of serotonin are common in people prone to impulsive behaviors such as kleptomania. Serotonin is a natural chemical released within the brain that helps regulate moods and emotions. The exact cause of kleptomania is not known, but one theory suggests it may be linked to the release of serotonin in the brain. They often also feel remorse and fear of arrest, but the urge to steal is so strong, it often returns and the kleptomania cycle begins again. They then feel pleasure and relief while stealing, and then guilt and shame afterwards. Kleptomaniacs often experience uncomfortable feelings of anxiety and tension that can only be relieved by stealing. They know that what they are doing is wrong, but cannot resist the urge to do it. People with kleptomania usually steal items that they do not need and are of little value. Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder that involves an uncontrollable urge to steal.
