Kleptomania, a complex impulse control disorder, can significantly disrupt a person’s life, relationships, and sense of self.
At The Summit Wellness Group, a leading kleptomania disorder treatment center located in Midtown Atlanta and Roswell, Georgia, we provide compassionate, evidence-based, and holistic care to help men and women overcome kleptomania and reclaim control of their lives.
Our Joint Commission-accredited facilities offer a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients receive personalized treatment through our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and general outpatient services.
As the leading kleptomania disorder treatment center in Atlanta, Georgia, we prioritize client-centered care through our outpatient programs and healing environment.
Understanding Kleptomania Disorder
Kleptomania is characterized by an irresistible urge to steal items, often of little value, without needing personal use or financial gain. Unlike typical theft, emotional impulses rather than rational motives drive kleptomania, and feelings of guilt, shame, or relief often follow it.
Classified as an impulse control disorder, it is frequently linked to co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or substance use disorders.
At The Summit Wellness Group, we recognize kleptomania as a mental health condition requiring a multifaceted treatment approach that addresses both the behavior and its underlying triggers.
Prevalence in the U.S.
Kleptomania is relatively rare, affecting an estimated 0.3-0.6% of the general population. It is more common among women than men and often emerges in adolescence or early adulthood, though it can persist if left untreated. The disorder’s prevalence may be underreported due to stigma and legal concerns, as individuals may hesitate to seek help.
At The Summit Wellness Group, we serve a diverse clientele, including professionals, students, and veterans, offering discreet, compassionate care to address kleptomania and its associated challenges.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of kleptomania include:
- Recurrent, Uncontrollable Urges to Steal: Individuals feel a compelling need to steal items, often spontaneously.
- Tension Before Stealing: A buildup of anxiety or excitement precedes the act.
- Relief or Pleasure During the Act: Stealing temporarily alleviates emotional distress.
- Guilt or Shame Afterward: Individuals often feel remorse or self-loathing post-theft.
- No Practical Motive: Stolen items are typically of little value and may be discarded, given away, or hidden.
- Impact on Life: Legal issues, strained relationships, or job loss may result from repeated stealing.
These symptoms can lead to significant distress, making professional intervention critical. Our team conducts thorough assessments to identify kleptomania and any co-occurring condition, ensuring a tailored treatment plan.
Causes of Kleptomania Disorder
The causes of kleptomania are complex and may include:
- Neurological Factors: Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin or dopamine can impair impulse control.
- Psychological Triggers: Stress, trauma, or unresolved emotional issues may contribute to compulsive stealing.
- Co-occurring Disorders: Kleptomania often coexists with anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, or substance use disorders.
- Genetic Predispositions: A family history of mental health disorders may increase risk.
- Environmental Factors: High-stress environments or a lack of coping mechanisms can exacerbate symptoms.
At The Summit Wellness Group, we address these causes through comprehensive evaluations, targeting both the behavior and its root origins.
How We Treat Kleptomania
Our treatment for kleptomania at The Summit Wellness Group combines evidence-based therapies, medication management, and holistic modalities to address the disorder holistically.
Following a detailed assessment, our multidisciplinary team—comprising licensed therapists, psychiatrists, and holistic practitioners—develops an individualized plan.
Treatment focuses on managing impulses, addressing emotional triggers, and building healthy coping mechanisms.
We integrate therapy, skill-building, and holistic practices to promote long-term recovery and prevent relapse.
Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our PHP provides intensive, structured care for clients with kleptomania who require comprehensive support without full hospitalization. Offering 30 hours of treatment per week, the PHP includes daily individual therapy, group sessions, and psychoeducation tailored to impulse control disorders.
Clients learn to identify triggers, manage urges, and develop healthier coping strategies. The program is ideal for those transitioning from inpatient or residential treatment or needing robust intervention for severe symptoms.
Our PHP and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offer a customizable approach to treatment, allowing clients to work closely with their treatment team to determine which services will be most effective.
Some of the most common options we offer include:
- Individual Therapy: Clients are assigned a particular mental health psychiatric provider with whom they meet several times weekly. Together, clients and clinicians work through methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
CBT helps patients recognize triggers and change thinking patterns that lead to stealing. Therapists might use exposure and response prevention, asking patients to face urges without acting on them. - Goal Setting & Coping Strategies: A therapist works one-on-one with their client to set personal goals and provide coping strategies. Sessions often focus on understanding the emotional causes of kleptomania, like anxiety or depression. Patients are also taught skills to resist urges and manage stress healthily.
- Medication Management: Medication may be included if there are co-occurring mental health conditions, though therapy is usually the primary focus.
- Group Therapy and Support Systems: Group therapy provides a sense of community and reduces the feeling of isolation. In these groups, people with kleptomania discuss their experiences and offer support to others facing similar struggles.
A trained counselor facilitates group therapy using role-playing and open discussions to develop problem-solving skills. Support groups, such as 12-step programs, can add another layer of help. These groups meet regularly and offer accountability, encouragement, and shared resources.
Group therapy can help participants improve social skills, gain insight from others’ stories, and learn that recovery is possible. - Psychoeducation in Recovery: Psychoeducation teaches patients about kleptomania, how the disorder works, and why specific thoughts or behaviors occur. It is delivered through workshops, reading materials, or group classes.
Knowing more about the disorder can reduce shame and increase motivation to change. Psycho-education includes information on managing urges, dealing with guilt, and understanding the effects on friends and family.
It also covers the science behind addictive behaviors and the mental triggers that often play a role.
Families may be involved to support recovery and learn how to respond to the disorder in healthy ways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatment for kleptomania combines therapy, medication, and support. Individuals have access to various options that focus on both the psychological and behavioral aspects of the disorder.
What therapies are recommended for managing kleptomania symptoms?
Therapies for kleptomania often include cognitive behavioral therapy, talk therapy, and sometimes family therapy. Treatment aims to address urges and help manage triggers.
The goal at The Summit Wellness Group is to provide access to customizable outpatient plans, so no two clients will have the same schedule.
We work closely with our clients, utilize their initial comprehensive assessment data, and participate in open, honest conversations to discuss the most effective treatments.
Other options include DBT, psychotherapy, support groups, and holistic services.
Are there any specific medications prescribed for kleptomania?
Kleptomania is primarily treated with psychotherapy, such as CBT, but some medications may be prescribed to address underlying or co-occurring conditions. No drug is approved explicitly for kleptomania itself.
Doctors may prescribe medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other antidepressants to manage impulsive behaviors.
Or clients may be prescribed mood stabilizers if they struggle with a co-occurring condition.
Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, has shown promise in reducing urges in some impulse control disorders, like kleptomania.
Other medications, like anti-anxiety medications, may be considered as well, depending on the individual’s symptoms.
How does cognitive behavioral therapy address kleptomania?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) addresses kleptomania by targeting the thoughts, emotions, or behaviors that drive the urge to steal.
It can:
- Identify Triggers: CBT helps clients recognize situations, emotions, or thoughts that precede impulses.
- Challenging Distorted Thoughts: Kleptomania often involves irrational thoughts, such as justifying stealing as harmless or feeling a “need” to steal for relief. CBT techniques, like cognitive restructuring, help patients challenge and reframe these thoughts into healthier perspectives, reducing the urge to act on them.
- Developing Coping Strategies: Therapists teach alternate ways to manage urges, such as relaxation techniques, distraction methods, or problem-solving skills.
Is kleptomania considered a criminal behavior or a psychological issue?
Kleptomania is classified as a mental health disorder. The urge to steal is not about personal gain but is driven by psychological impulses. It is treated as a psychological issue, rather than simple criminal behavior.
Expert Care and Support Options are Available
Kleptomania is a mental health disorder that causes people to feel strong urges to steal things they do not need. Many individuals struggle to control these impulses, even when taking items can cause serious consequences.
At The Summit Wellness Group, we use therapy, counseling, and other approaches to help individuals learn new ways to cope with their urges. With professional care, many people with kleptomania can make real progress toward recovery.
Call us today at 770-692-4351 if you or someone you know is seeking help.