Psychological dictionaries define kleptomania as failure to resist impulses to steal items that are not needed or sought for personal use or monetary value. Kleptomania is not the same as shoplifting because shoplifters plan stealing of objects and usually steal because they do not have money to purchase the items. Items, which are stolen by kleptomaniacs, often are not so valuable or expensive that a person could not afford it. Stealing is usually done without any collaboration with others. People with this disorder would not steal when there is a possibility of immediate arrest. The theft is often unplanned and kleptomaniacs do not take into account the chances of apprehension.
The most important thing in this process is experience of tension before the theft and relief after this. Some lift of adrenaline, heart beating and feeling of being daring and dangerous can be the reasons of doing this too. It is never expression of revenge or anger, rather just desire to feel some high experience.
Kleptomania is more common in females than in males. People with kleptomania often have some kind of mood disorder such as depression and anxiety. There are some evidence that the disorder can be caused by some abnormalities in the brain chemical serotonin. Depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse disorders are common in individuals with kleptomania.
Kleptomania is usually treated by behaviour modification. Anyway it often goes untreated until results in some legal difficulties.
"Stealing let me feel like I was scoring points against the big, bad city" says a young girl who moved to London and felt unwarranted there. Maybe for the patients it is the way to express themselves as strong and brave, to play some kind of the game with fortune "Would they catch me this time?".
http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/klepto.html
http://allpsych.com/disorders/impulse_control/kleptomania.html
Picture: http://u1.ipernity.com/5/30/21/1823021.a962b8f3.l.jpg
3 komentarai:
It was interesting to read, very clear sentences, but I missed a part what a person with kleptomania should do, how to get over it? Do you think it is possible to hlep them?
I liked your text about Kleptomania, it was really very interesting, especially the last part where you inserted a real moment from a young girl's life.
Oh, what a surprise, I guess I have seen this picture you've added to your article somewhere before ;D
I like the last paragraph. I also think, that kleptomania is some kind of game. "Catch me if you can" :]
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