Just before the theft, the patient experiences increasing tension. At the time of theft, the patient feels gratification, pleasure or relief. These thefts are committed neither out of anger or revenge nor in response to delusions or hallucinations. The thefts are not better explained by Antisocial Personality Disorder, Conduct Disorder or a Manic Episode . Some disorders have similar or even the same symptoms.
Some individuals report the onset of kleptomania as early as age five.
While we do not know the causes of kleptomania, there is indirect evidence linking it with abnormalities in the brain chemical serotonin. Stressors such as major losses may also precipitate kleptomanic behavior. Treatment will include a variety of counseling ans psychotheraputic appraoches and in some cases combined with drug therapy. In fact this disorder is rather easy to treat. It is important to find another occupation to replace the stealing activity.