1. Kleptomania
Keenan Ricker

2. Kleptomania http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUuNv3W_bKU
Classified as an impulse control disorder in the DSM IV
Kleptomania is the irresistible urge to steal items that you generally have little value to you.
Kleptomania

3. Unkown
May be linked to problems with the brain chemical serotonin.
Serotonin helps regulate moods and emotions. Low levels of serotonin are common in people prone to impulsive behaviors.
Causes

4. Symtoms Powerful urges to steal items that are not needed
Feelings of increased tension leading up to the theft
Pleasure or Gratification during the act of stealing
Symtoms

5. Spontaneous occurrences
Episodes of Kleptomania generally occur spontaneously without planning.
Most Kleptomaniacs steal from public places such as stores and supermarkets. Few often steal from friends or acquaintances.
Stolen items usually stashed away never to be used or secretly returned to the place from where they were stolen.
Spontaneous occurrences

6. Coping and Support Stick to treatment plan Educate yourself
Discover what drives you
Find healthy outlets
Learn relation and stress management
Coping and Support

7. Noticing you can not resist the urge to shoplift or steal.
Many people with kleptomania do not seek treatment because they are afraid they’ll be arrested
Keep in mind kleptomania is a mental health condition not a character flaw.
When to get help?

8. Risk Factors Family history
Having a relative with kleptomania may increase your risk.
Common in Women
Approximately 2/3 of kleptomaniacs are Women.
Having another mental illness
Large amount of patients with kleptomania have other illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder.
Risk Factors

9. Case study 1 Winona Ryder Battles anxiety and depression
Caught stealing $5000 worth of merchandise
She put holes in the dresses she was stealing, had no intention on ever wearing items or reselling them
Since 2002 has been caught shoplifting on the other occasions
Was placed on probation for 3 years.
Is now a spokesperson for Kleptomania awareness.
Case study 1

10. Case study 2 Terrence Shulman Recovering kleptomaniac
Stole more 1000 times
Has since recovered and published a book on the awareness of theft addiction
Has become a therapist specializing in the treatment of theft compulsion
Founded the The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft, Spending & Hoarding
Case study 2

11. Citations Mayo Clinic Staff.
Freudirich.Craig.
Kau-Ni.
Shulman Center
Citations