Kleptomani Causes Of The Condition

Kleptomania is a mental health disorder where sufferers have an uncontrollable urge to steal objects that are usually of insignificant value. As kleptomania is an impulse control disorder kleptomaniacs cannot resist the compulsion to steal something, even when there may be severe or detrimental consequences for their behaviour. Kleptomania generally begins during adolescence, although in some cases it can begins in middle age. A kleptomaniac will characteristically experience symptoms including irrepressible impulses to steal unnecessary items, unease and anxiety prior to theft, a feeling of satisfaction or joy while committing the crime and can feel ashamed and remorseful after the event.
Kleptomaniacs are dissimilar to common thieves as they do not steal opportunistically or for their own personal advantage, revenge, as a result a hallucination or maniac episode. They only steal as the impulse and urge to steal is too difficult to resist. Often kleptomaniacs hoard stolen items or secretly return them, as thefts are usually unplanned and so the consequences of their actions are not foreseen. …show more content…
Issues with a naturally occurring neurotransmitter: serotonin, may lead to kleptomania as the chemical aids in regulating moods and emotions and low levels of serotonin are common in people with impulsive control disorders.
Kleptomania may also be linked to addiction as stealing can cause the release of dopamine. This neurotransmitter releases a chemical which creates a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure, which makes the impulse to steal even more uncontrollable, similar to what addicts experience after