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BIG LITTLE THIEFS - Kleptomania Treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

S. Mouta*
Affiliation:
Unidade Local de Saúde da Guarda, Departamento De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Guarda, Portugal
J. Correia
Affiliation:
Unidade Local de Saúde da Guarda, Departamento De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Guarda, Portugal
I. Fonseca Vaz
Affiliation:
Unidade Local de Saúde da Guarda, Departamento De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Guarda, Portugal
S. Freitas Ramos
Affiliation:
Unidade Local de Saúde da Guarda, Departamento De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Guarda, Portugal
B. Jesus
Affiliation:
Unidade Local de Saúde da Guarda, Departamento De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Guarda, Portugal
S. Fontes
Affiliation:
Unidade Local de Saúde da Guarda, Departamento De Psiquiatria E Saúde Mental, Guarda, Portugal
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Kleptomania is characterized by recurrent failure to resist the impulse to steal items of little value despite the ego-dystonic impulse and awareness of the wrongfulness of the act. Its prevalence is considered to be 0.6–0.8% in the general population and it is mostly comorbid with other psychiatric disorders. Kleptomania is a disabling disorder since patients suffer from emotional distress and impaired functioning.

Objectives

Although there is no cure, treatment may help prevent Kleptomania worsening and its negative consequences. We propose a review of the therapeutic approach to this disease.

Methods

Non-systematic literature review.

Results

No effective treatment is available for Kleptomania. Better efficacy can be achieved by combining psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy. Different treatment interventions can be selected based on clinical similarities to other disorders, co-occurring conditions or behavioral core features. Patients with significant mood symptoms may benefit from mood stabilizers or antidepressants. For patients with shoplift cravings and/or family history of substance use disorders, Naltrexone may reduce symptoms. Stimulants may be useful for Kleptomania bassociated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder impulsivity. Benzodiazepines are effective in tension relief when used as adjuvants, at the beginning of treatment. Electroconvulsive therapy should be reserved for patients with treatment-resistant symptoms and comorbid depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy has replaced Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Conclusions

Treatment helps decrease disruption to the person’s life, preventing the intense shame, legal, social, family, and occupational repercussions of Kleptomania. Although pharmaceutical and psychosocial interventions are available, we still lack specific treatments for Kleptomania.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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