We all have been hearing since childhood, 'Stealing is a sin', grandmothers used to narrate many fables related to this so that children do not develop this kind of habit. But what if a person steals repeatedly, and his mind forces him to steal? We all have been hearing and seeing many such cases frequently.
Recently, a woman has filed a police complaint against her husband, in which she said that wherever she goes, her husband steals something or the other. Be it shampoo-towel from a hotel or bedsheets from trains. The woman said that she has become very upset with this habit of her husband. Angered by the complaint, the husband assaulted his wife, due to which the angry wife went to her maternal home. Its video is viral on social media.
We all often hear about cases of theft, but do you know that the habit of repeatedly stealing or having a strong desire to do so can actually be a type of mental health problem? In medical language, it is known as kleptomania.
What is the problem of kleptomania?
While talking to Amar Ujala, psychiatrist Dr. Satyakant Trivedi explains that kleptomania is a mental disorder in which a person has a compulsive desire to steal things. Many times a person is forced to steal even those things that he does not actually need. Often stolen items have very little value and you can buy them. Such patients do not even know that it is a mental disorder.
Although kleptomania is a rare problem, it can have many negative social effects. Such situations arise which start troubling the person even more mentally.
How to know if someone has kleptomania?
People with kleptomania often live secretive and shameful lives because they are afraid to seek mental health treatment. There is no specific treatment for kleptomania, but medications or therapy can help control the compulsive feeling.
By some symptoms, you can also find out whether someone has this disorder.
Also having a desire to steal things you don't need.
Often feeling increased stress, anxiety, or excitement.
To feel pleasure, relief, or satisfaction by stealing.
Feeling guilt, remorse, self-loathing, shame after theft.
What is the cause of this mental illness?
Scientists do not know the reason why kleptomania occurs. Some studies have found that this type of problem can occur due to problems in the serotonin neurotransmitter. Serotonin deficiency is often seen in people prone to impulsive behavior.
People with kleptomania often also have other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders.
What to do if someone sees its symptoms?
Dr. Satyakant says, if someone you know has symptoms of kleptomania, then definitely take him to a psychiatrist. A person can benefit from both medications and psychotherapy. There is no standard treatment for kleptomania and it is not yet known how to prevent it with certainty. Psychotherapists can help in reducing the feeling of compulsive stealing and the resulting anxiety, stress, and guilt and also in getting relief from this disorder.
(PC: ISTOCK)
