Kleptomania
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| ICD-10 | F63.2 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 312.32 |
Kleptomania (Greek: κλέπτειν, kleptein, "to steal", μανία, "mania") is an inability to resist impulses of stealing. A person with this disorder is compelled to steal things, generally things of little or no value, such as pens, paper clips, or small toys. Some may not be aware that they have committed the theft until later.
Kleptomania is distinguished from shoplifting or ordinary theft, as shoplifters and thieves generally steal for monetary value, or associated gains and usually display intent or premeditation, while people with kleptomania aren't necessarily contemplating the value of the items they steal or even the theft until they are compulsed.
Although a kleptomaniac may steal uncontrollably without realisation, judicial courts in the United Kingdom and United States generally do not accept kleptomania as an affirmative defense.
[edit] Treatments
Kleptomania has several different treatments. Behavior modification therapy and family therapy may be used to treat kleptomaniacs.
Some medications that are used for people diagnosed with kleptomania are fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, lithium, trazodone and Valproate.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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