Once out of danger, stolen objects are given to others or stored in a hidden place. The Kleptomaniac finds reward, not in the stolen item, but through strong emotional arousal before, during and after the act. Kleptomania is also an anomalous way to discharge tension. it is believed that the root of this behavior is in internal conflicts that cause emotional unbalance.
The problem tends to appear early in life, during childhood or adolescence and continues for years. This happened to my one of a friend, member of a wealthy family and with no need of anything. However, one day when she felt very anxious and burdened with tension, she felt the impulse to steal and she successfully accomplished the deed. Since then, she utilized the same technique hundreds of times to find excitement and relaxation. Finally, she went to the psychiatrist, but only after she was caught.
TREATMENT FOR KLEPTOMANIA
The most promising form of treatment includes both psychological and medical approaches. These are the steps followed in psychological interventions:
- FIRM PROHIBITION OF STEALING, Not granting the patient an option to use this as an escape from adverse feelings.
- USE OF SKILLS such as thought control, relaxation, and distraction to overcome the shoplifting impulse.
- DEEP PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSIONS in order to find out and eliminate the likely root of the pathological behaviour.
- TREATMENT OF THE CO-MORBIDITIES that often accompany Kleptomania, such as depression and drug addiction and dependence, which are among the most common.
The other approach is medical (psychiatric) and consists of prescribing drugs to alleviate the impulse that leads to stealing. The following drugs have helped many to reduce their impulse. However, before using them, consult your doctor or psychiatrist:
- TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS (for example, imipramine and nortriptyline).
- SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS(for examples, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, widely known as prozac).
- LITHIUM SALT, a medication utilized for manic depression