Kleptomania: clinical characteristics and treatment

Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria

Jon E Grant¹  Brian L Odlaug¹ 

[1] ,University of Minnesota School of Medicine Departmento de PsiquiatriaMinnesota,USA

关键词: Impulse control disorders;    Pharmacotherapy;    Comorbidity;    Theft;    Study characteristics;    Transtornos do controle de impulso;    Farmacoterapia;    Comorbidade;    Roubo;    Características de estudos;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1516-44462006005000054

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

OBJECTIVES: 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. METHOD: 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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License