Who is a kleptomaniac? Is it a criminal or addict? Kleptomania, like alcoholism and bulimia, is a disease. People suffering from this ailment constantly want to steal something. The stolen things may not even have much value, only the fact of theft is important to a person, which brings him satisfaction.
Causes of the disease
Who is the kleptomaniac? What is kleptomania? This is a disease that provokes people to rash acts. Experts have not yet established specific causes for the development of this disease. Some doctors believe that the prerequisites for this harmful addiction are transmitted at the genetic level from relatives. Most often, kleptomania manifests itself as a result of mental disorders.
After conducting research, experts found that the kleptomaniac receives satisfaction from risk. This can be compared with adrenaline addiction. Only a kleptomaniac has an indirect degree of risk. People who commit extreme acts risk their own lives, and the kleptomaniac risks only social freedom and professional reputation.
Disease or crime?
A thief, unlike a kleptomaniac, steals for profit. The second, on the contrary, performs this act only for the pleasure of the process itself. Moreover, his actions are always spontaneous and careless. Stolen items are usually inexpensive, because the kleptomaniac does not aim to get rich. He never involves partners. The offender is this person or kleptomaniac - this will be decided by the court.
According to Russian law, for minor theft, a person faces only administrative punishment in the form of a fine or up to 15 days of arrest. In more severe cases, a criminal case will be brought against the person. Often thieves in order to avoid arrest try to prove that they are kleptomaniac. Psychotherapists claim that a kleptomaniac is a person who never admits that he is sick with this addiction, because it is too hard for him to realize that he is a kleptomaniac.
The symptoms of this disease must be distinguished from the tendency to thefts in adolescents, who often consider theft to be a sign of protest against adults, they try to raise their status among peers in this way.
Signs of the disease
When answering the question of who the kleptomaniac is, it should be understood that this person is clearly aware that he is breaking the law. As a rule, a person repents for his act, but understands that he cannot control his actions. He just does not know why this is happening.
Often, kleptomaniacs develop low self-esteem, they suffer from loneliness. Moreover, each perfect senseless theft is regarded by them as yet another confirmation of their “inferiority”. First of all, this disorder is dangerous for the person himself, because it makes him be in constant stress. He is constantly afraid that a rash act will be followed by punishment. As a result, an obsessive feeling of fear and other mental abnormalities associated with it may occur.
After the theft, the kleptomaniac gains satisfaction. And if he does not steal for a long period, he is haunted by a feeling of discomfort that provokes a new crime. The break between thefts can be a week or even a month. At this time, a person is tormented by guilt. Most often, kleptomaniacs get rid of stolen things: they return them to the scene of the crime or simply throw them away.
The consequences of kleptomania
Everyone knows that stealing is bad and wrong since childhood. But kleptomania sufferers feel that they are powerless and cannot cope with the disorder on their own. As a result, their psyche is destroyed by guilt, shame and self-loathing. A person begins to lead an immoral lifestyle, being in constant confusion.
Having found signs of kleptomania in a person, treatment should be started immediately. Otherwise, he may have serious legal, material and emotional problems.
Addiction treatment
Very few people with kleptomania independently seek the help of a specialist. Usually addiction is detected when a person is caught for theft.
It is very difficult to overcome the disease on your own. There are no standard methods for treating the disorder; all of them include psychotherapy and drugs that are prescribed individually.
Before starting treatment, a specialist assesses the physical and mental condition of the patient. For this, a kleptomaniac must undergo laboratory tests, have an MRI, CT scan and a blood test. This will help to more accurately diagnose. During a psychological examination, the patient fills in special forms, this helps to identify the symptoms of kleptomania.
A certain type of medication that helps cure the disease does not exist. Specialists always apply complex treatment, choosing drugs and treatment methods for each patient individually.
Prevention of kleptomania
Who is a kleptomaniac and how to prevent yourself from illness? According to statistics, 10% of people once in their life stole something. In 50% of cases, they did this by chance out of curiosity. It is impossible to prevent yourself from the disease. Doctors still can not answer the question about the occurrence of this ailment. It is important to recognize kleptomania in a timely manner in order to start treatment and prevent possible unpleasant consequences.
As soon as a person begins to commit uncontrolled theft, it is important not to allow this destructive desire to develop into a chronic disorder that will be difficult to overcome in the future.
Support and help from loved ones
Relatives can participate in therapeutic sessions with the patient. It would be advisable to talk with the attending physician in private to find out exactly who the kleptomaniac is and how to cope with this ailment.
The help of loved ones is extremely important for a dependent person, because restoration will take a lot of time. Often kleptomaniac relatives experience stress and fatigue. To relieve stress, it is recommended to use various relaxation techniques or just spend more free time with friends.
It is very important not to blame the patient for what he is doing. After all, kleptomania is a mental illness, and not weakness, lack of willpower and lack of character. It is very important to talk with a person, to help him, to impartially evaluate actions, without condemning him.
In order for the support to have a beneficial effect, one should prepare for such conversations by visiting a psychotherapist. He will be able to suggest rules of behavior that will help a person to open up and talk about his experiences. Then, through joint efforts, the kleptomaniac will be able to overcome his ailment.