Kleptomania

Kleptomania, a disabling, impulse control disorder that usually goes undiagnosed, is characterized by repetitive and uncontrollable thefts of items that are of little, if any, use. Kleptomania usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood, with males tending to start at an earlier age. Two-thirds of patients with kleptomania are female. Along with impairment in the social and occupational realms, legal repercussions and high rates of comorbid psychiatric conditions are common in kleptomania. Although the etiology of kleptomania is unknown, various pharmacotherapies and cognitive behavioral therapy have shown early promise in treating kleptomania.