Kleptomania: More than Just Stealing
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
You spot an energy drink, you don’t need it, you don’t like energy drinks, but you could afford it if you did. Regardless, your heart and mind begin to race. You walk right out the door with the drink and no one notices; what a rush! You feel guilty after, and think you are a bad person. However, this could all be due to a mental health condition called kleptomania. In this post we will outline what kleptomania is, what it's like to have it, risk factors, and possible treatments.
What is Kleptomania?
Kleptomania is an impulse‑control disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). People with kleptomania struggle to stop strong urges to steal items they usually do not need.
Important things to remember:
• Kleptomania is not about being a bad person
• It is not about wanting expensive items
• It is about difficulty controlling impulses
Kleptomania is considered rare. Some research suggests that less than 1% of people have it (Grant & Chamberlain, 2021). It may be slightly more common among females, and symptoms often begin during adolescence, or early adulthood.
What is it like to live with?
Kleptomania is often misunderstood as simple stealing. In reality, many people experience a repeating emotional cycle.
The urge cycle may include:
• Feeling tension or anxiety before stealing
• Experiencing a strong urge to steal
• Feeling relief or satisfaction after stealing
• Feeling guilt or shame afterward
Sometimes the items stolen are inexpensive or not even useful. This shows that kleptomania is usually not about money, but about emotional pressure and impulse control (Mayo Clinic, 2022).
What Counts as Kleptomania
The following 5 features are what a doctor will check for if they think a person has kleptomania (American Psychiatric Association, 2022):
Difficulty resisting urges to steal things that aren't needed.
Feeling on edge before stealing the item.
Feeling good, or at ease, when stealing.
Stealing is not due to anger or delusional beliefs.
Stealing is not happening due to another mental health issue.
Risk Factors
There is no single cause of kleptomania. Researchers believe it develops from a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Possible risk factors include:
• Family history of impulse‑control disorders
• Trauma or long‑term stress
• Anxiety or depression
• Substance use problems
• Other compulsive behaviors
Treatment Options
Although there is no cure for kleptomania, treatment can help individuals manage urges.
Common treatment approaches include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A type of psychotherapy that helps individuals recognize triggers, understand the thoughts behind their behaviour, and develop healthier coping strategies (Grant & Chamberlain, 2021).
• Medication: Drugs that affect the brain chemical, serotonin, can help with resisting impulses (Augusta Health, n.d.)
• Support groups: Offer accountability, emotional support, and a sense of community that can make recovery feel less isolating
Closing
Kleptomania is not about greed, rebellion, or being a “bad person.” It is an impulse control disorder that people can get help for. Shame, stigma, and fear of legal consequences often prevent individuals from seeking help, which contributes to under-diagnosis and misunderstanding of the disorder. Recognizing kleptomania as a mental health condition rather than a moral failing is essential for reducing stigma and increasing access to treatment.
Call-to-Action
If you or someone you know struggles with urges to steal and feels guilt, anxiety, or loss of control afterward, it is important to know that effective treatments are available. Seeking help early can improve long-term outcomes. Consider speaking with a trusted adult, school counsellor, or licensed mental health professional. Increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations can help individuals feel safe enough to seek the support they deserve. Recovery is possible — and asking for help is not weakness; it is a courageous first step toward change.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Augusta Health. (n.d.). Kleptomania.https://www.augustahealth.com/disease/kleptomania/
Grant, J. E., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2021). Kleptomania: Clinical characteristics and treatment options. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34(4), 325–330. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000707
Mayo Clinic. (2022). Kleptomania: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kleptomania
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