The urge to steal things that are not needed for personal use or have no monetary value is known as kleptomania, and the person who has it often throws the things they have stolen away or throws them away after they have been taken.
Kleptomania is a rare but severe mental health disorder that can cause great emotional suffering for you and your loved ones if left untreated. Kleptomania is the persistent inability to resist urges to steal things that you typically don’t really need and that typically have little value.
When you have an impulse control disorder, you struggle to resist the urge or temptation to do something that is excessive or harmful to you or another person. Kleptomania is one example of an impulse control disorder, which is characterized by issues with emotional or behavioral self-control.
Although there is no known treatment for kleptomania, medication or talk therapy (psychotherapy) may help to break the cycle of compulsive stealing. Many people with kleptomania live lives of hidden shame because they are afraid to seek mental health treatment.
About 0.3 to 0.6 percent of the general population experiences kleptomania, making it a relatively uncommon disorder.
Causes
There are several theories that suggest that kleptomania may be caused by changes in the brain; more research is required to fully understand these theories, but kleptomania may be related to:
·Problems with a naturally occurring brain chemical (neurotransmitter) called serotonin.Low levels of serotonin are typical in those prone to impulsive behavior, and serotonin helps regulate moods and emotions.
·Addictive disorders.Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is released during theft and is responsible for the pleasure-inducing feelings that some people seek out constantly.
·The brain’s opioid system.It may be more difficult to resist urges if there is an imbalance in the opioid system of the brain, which controls urges.
Symptoms
Kleptomania symptoms may include:
Unable to withstand strong urges to steal things you don’t need
Prior to the theft, feeling more tense, anxious, or aroused
Enjoyment, elation, or satisfaction from committing the theft
After the theft, experiencing excruciating guilt, regret, shame, or self-doubt
The kleptomania cycle is repeated along with the urges.
Features
These characteristics or traits are frequently displayed by those who have kleptomania:
Unlike typical shoplifters, those who have kleptomania don’t steal compulsively because they want to, because they’re being dared, because they want to get even, or because they’re rebelling; instead, they steal because the urge to steal is so strong that they can’t control it.
Kleptomania episodes typically come on without warning, without preparation, and without assistance from another person.
Some kleptomaniacs may steal from friends or acquaintances, such as at a party, while most steal from public places like shops and supermarkets.
The kleptomaniac frequently has money to buy the stolen items even though they are worthless to him or her.
Items may be donated, given away to family or friends, or even covertly returned to the location from which they were taken. Stolen items are typically hidden away, never to be used.
The desire to steal might come and go, or it might get stronger or weaker over time.
Risk factors
Kleptomania is a condition that affects a small percentage of the population, and about two-thirds of those who have the condition are women. Some people with kleptomania may never seek treatment, or they may simply be jailed after committing repeated thefts, so some cases may never be diagnosed.
Risk elements for kleptomania could be:
·Family history.It may be more likely for someone to develop kleptomania if they have a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, who has the condition.
·Having another mental illness.A personality disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder, substance use disorder, or another mental illness are frequently present in kleptomaniacs.
Complications
If untreated, kleptomania can cause serious emotional, family, work, legal, and financial issues, such as guilt, shame, self-loathing, and humiliation. You may otherwise lead a moral, upstanding life and be perplexed and upset by your compulsive stealing. You may even be arrested for it. You may know stealing is wrong but feel powerless to resist the impulse.
Kleptomania may also be accompanied by the following conditions and complications:
Additional disorders of impulse control, such as an obsession with shopping or gambling
· Alcohol and substance misuse
· Personality disorders
· Eating disorders
· Depression
· Bipolar disorder
· Anxiety
Suicidal ideas, attempts, and actually committing suicide
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
There are many effective medicines available in homoeopathy for treating kleptomania, but the choice depends on the patient’s individuality, taking into account mental and physical symtoms. Homoeopathy is a rapidly expanding system that is practiced all over the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels
ABSINTHIUM 30–One of the best treatments for kleptomania, a condition in which the sufferer forgets recent events, is absinthium. Other characteristics of this medication include hallucinations, memory loss, and terrifying visions.
**CALCAREA CARBONICUM 200—**Calcarea carb is one of the best treatments for kleptomania with a tendency to steal and tell lies. Calcarea carb patients are easily agitated and suspicious. They are also depressed and apathetic.
BELLADONNA 200Acuteness of all senses and a tendency to startle in fright at the approach of others are other characteristics of Belladonna people, along with their ease of excitability and desire to flee or hide.
OPIUM 200Opium is recommended for people with kleptomania, a propensity for lying and theft, perversion of all the senses, and fears that persist after the initial shock. Opium users also tend to be agitated, nervous, and startle easily.
PULSATILLA NIGRICANS 200Pulsatilla is best suited for mild, timid, tearful, and moody individuals who are prone to mood swings, weep easily, crave company, and have an easily offended nature.
STAPHYSAGRIA 200Staphysagria is another potent treatment for kleptomania, which is characterized by a lack of self-control and sensitivity to both physical and emotional stimuli. Patients take this medication when they are agitated, anxious, or overexcited, have great indignation over their own or other people’s actions, or when they are hypochondriacal.
SULPHUR 200Sulphur is recommended for stealing habits in tobacco users or gamblers because they are very egotistical, have no regard for others, and are highly impulsive. They also have a foolhardy sense of happiness and pride because they believe they own everything that they like, making even rags appear beautiful or extremely wealthy.
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS 200Thuja occidentalis is another treatment option for kleptomania, which is characterized by the development of hidden plans, excessive elation, anger, or worry over trivial matters, as well as dullness of mind, fixed ideas, and irritability.
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