Kleptomania

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that kleptomania is an impulse-control disorder in which the person has irresistible impulses to steal objects that are not needed for personal use or for their monetary value. The author points out that, because kleptomania appears to be associated more with character or personality issues than with simple depression, combination therapy seems to be the best therapeutic approach. The paper relates that the full impact of kleptomania on stores is not understood because apprehension rates for shoplifting are low and store owners turn over only twenty-four percent of the perpetrators they catch. The paper reports that studies indicate that shoplifting is not confined to specific gender, race, age or social class; however, they are disproportionately young and female.

From the Paper:

"Various disorders such as mood disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse and impulse control disorder can be linked to kleptomania. In the "American Journal of Psychiatry", August 2003, The article 'Psychopathology and Co-morbidity of Psychiatric Disorders in Patients with Kleptomania' discusses a study conducted that compared patients with kleptomania, patients with alcohol abuse or dependence, and psychiatric patients without impulse-control disorders or substance-related disorders on several key psychopathological dimensions."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bayle, F. (2003). Psychopathology and comorbity of psychiatric disorders in patients with kleptomania. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 1509-1513.
• Grant, J. (2004). Dissociative symptoms in kleptomania. Psychological Reports, 94, 77 -82.
• Grant, J. (2003). Stop me because I can't stop myself-taking control of impulsive behavior. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• Goldman, M. (1998). Kleptomania: the compulsion to steal-what can be done?. New Jersey: New Horizon Press.
• John Doe Arlington Heights Police Officer. Interview date: Thursday, April 10,2005.

More papers on Kleptomania:

• Research Paper # 96537 : "Kleptomania"
• Article Review # 57532 : "Kleptomania"
• Case Study # 9748 : "Kleptomania"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: