Kleptomania

Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder characterized by a recurrent inability to resist urges to steal items that are not needed for personal use or monetary value. The etiology is multifactorial, involving dysregulation of serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, genetic predisposition, and psychosocial stressors. Patients often experience tension prior to the act of stealing and relief or gratification afterward, which can result in significant guilt, shame, and social impairment. Diagnosis is clinical, based on DSM-5 or ICD-11 criteria, and requires differentiation from ordinary theft or conduct disorder. Management includes cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on impulse control, pharmacotherapy with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in some cases, and supportive psychotherapy to address comorbid psychiatric conditions.