Have you come across kleptomaniacs in your real life?
Tamil film goers would not have forgotten the films titled `Micheal Madana Kamarajan` and `Gethu`. In these films or reel life, the movie goers would have surely come across kleptomaniacs .
Some persons would have impulse control disorders and kleptomania is one such example. It is true that this is a serious mental health disorder where a person would have the urge to steal things but without any motive behind it. That is stealing without any financial necessity or personal gain. It is a type of psychiatric disorder and it would coexist with anxiety, substance abuse etc. This was according to the American Psychiatric Association or APA.
These are the symptoms associated with kleptomania
Compulsive stealing:
Those with this mental disorder would have a huge urge to steal things from others. These persons do not have any motive behind stealing.
Increased tension:
It must be noted that before stealing the person would have increased anxiety, tension etc. It would be difficult to resist the temptation of stealing due to psychological build up. Truth is that the act of stealing relieves the anxiety for the time being.
Guilty feelings:
In normal thefts, the person involved would not feel guilty etc after stealing others things but persons with kleptomaniacs would have a guilty feeling. Bitter fact is that despite the negative feeling the person would have an urge to steal.
Fear of arrest:
The fear of getting arrested and getting punished would be present in the kleptomaniacs.
Repetitive stealing:
Point is that those with this mental health disorder would repeat the cycle of stealing.
Associated with other mental health conditions:
It is noteworthy that kleptomaniac disorder is often associated with other types of mental disorders like OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder or depression or anxiety disorders etc.
Difficulty seeking treatment:
The fear or shame of legal consequences would make the kleptomaniacs to avoid seeking treatment for their mental health condition. In such a situation, encouragement from the dear ones and medical professionals would play a vital role in seeking treatment.
Treatment and management of kleptomania:
Cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT:
Here, CBT would help the persons to identify triggers associated with kleptomania and develop methods to resist stealing impulse.
Medications etc:
To regulate brain chemistry and to reduce compulsive behaviour, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs and mood stabilisers etc would be prescribed.
Support groups:
It must be noted that group therapy and support networks would help the persons with this medical disorder to cope with the guilt and prevent relapses.
Training for impulse control:
The individuals would resist the urge to steal by means of self controlling methods and mindfulness etc.
