[Kleptomania: clinical characteristics and treatment].
OBJECTIVE
Kleptomania, a disabling impulse control disorder, is characterized by the repetitive and uncontrollable theft of items that are of little use to the afflicted person. Despite its relatively long history, kleptomania remains poorly understood to the general public, clinicians, and sufferers.


METHODS
This article reviews the literature for what is known about the clinical characteristics, family history, neurobiology, and treatment options for individuals with kleptomania.


RESULTS
Kleptomania generally has its onset in late adolescence or early adulthood and appears to be more common among women. Lifetime psychiatric comorbidity is frequent, mainly with other impulse control (20-46%), substance use (23-50%) and mood disorders (45-100%). Individuals with kleptomania suffer significant impairment in their ability to function socially and occupationally. Kleptomania may respond to cognitive behavioral therapy and various pharmacotherapies (lithium, anti-epileptics, and opioid antagonists).


CONCLUSIONS
Kleptomania is a disabling disorder that results in intense shame, as well as legal, social, family, and occupational problems. Large scale treatment studies are needed.
Grant
Jon E
JE
Departmento de Psiquiatria, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minnesota 55454, USA. grant045@umn.edu
Odlaug
Brian L
BL
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors