Kleptomania

Kleptomania is a mental health condition where a person feels an uncontrollable urge to steal things. People who have this condition might try, unsuccessfully, to not act on the urge, and many feel remorse or guilt for stealing. Experts classify kleptomania as an impulse control disorder. It’s often treatable with medications, therapy or both.

What is kleptomania?

Kleptomania is a mental health condition where a person feels an overpowering, irresistible urge to steal things. People who have this disorder know that stealing is wrong and could get them into trouble, but they can’t stop themselves.

People who have kleptomania don’t steal because of a lack of willpower, self-control or a character flaw. Instead, this is a medical condition where a person doesn’t have the ability to resist the impulse to steal. It’s common for people with kleptomania to feel guilt, shame or stress about stealing. Many try to compensate for this by returning items, donating them to charity, or going back and paying for the items after the fact.

Who does kleptomania affect?

Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are three times more likely to have kleptomania than men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB). It can happen to people of almost all ages, with cases diagnosed as young as age 4 and as old as age 77.

How common is this condition?

Kleptomania is uncommon. Experts estimate that it affects between 0.3% and 0.6% of the U.S. population. People with kleptomania make up between 4% and 5% of people arrested for shoplifting. more

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