Who is a kleptomaniac? How to cure kleptomania?

Who is a kleptomaniac? Is it a criminal or a person suffering from a painful addiction? Kleptomania, like alcoholism and bulimia, is a disease. The people suffering from this disease constantly want to steal something. Stolen things may not even be of particular value, only the fact of embezzlement, which brings him satisfaction, is important to a man.

Causes of the disease

Who is the kleptomaniac? What is this - kleptomania? It is a disease that provokes people to act rashly. Experts have not yet determined the specific causes of this disease. Some doctors believe that the prerequisites for this addiction are transmitted at the genetic level from relatives. Most often kleptomania is manifested as a result of mental disorders.

After carrying out the research, the specialists found out that the kleptomaniac gets satisfaction from the risk. This can be compared with adrenaline dependence. Only the kleptomaniac has an indirect risk degree. People who commit extreme acts risk their own lives, and the kleptomaniac risks only social freedom and professional reputation.

Disease or crime?

The thief, unlike the kleptomaniac, steals for the sake of profit. The second, on the contrary, commits this act only for the sake of the pleasure of the process itself. However, his actions are always spontaneous and careless. Stolen items are usually inexpensive, because the kleptomaniac does not pursue the goal of enriching himself. He never uses his accomplices. The criminal this person or kleptomaniac - this will be decided by the court.

Under Russian law, for a petty theft, a person faces only an administrative penalty in the form of a fine or up to 15 days of arrest. In more severe cases, a criminal case will be brought against a person. Often thieves try to prove that they are kleptomaniacs in order to avoid arrest. Psychotherapists say that a kleptomaniac is a person who never confesses that he is sick with this addiction, because it is too difficult for him to realize that he is a kleptomaniac.

Symptoms of this disease must be distinguished from the tendency to steal in adolescents who often consider stealing a sign of protest against adults, they are trying in this way to raise their status among peers.

Symptoms of the disease

When asked about who a kleptoman is, one should understand that this person clearly understands that he is violating the law. As a rule, a person repents for his deed, but realizes that he can not control his actions. He just does not know why this happens.

Often, kleptomaniacs develop low self-esteem, they suffer from loneliness. And every perfect pointless theft is regarded by them as another confirmation of their "defectiveness". First of all, this frustration is dangerous for the person, because it makes him in constant stress. He is always afraid that punishment will be punished for his ill-considered act. As a result, there may be an obsessive sense of fear and other associated with it, mental abnormalities.

After theft, the kleptomaniac gets satisfaction. And if he does not steal for a long period, he is haunted by a feeling of discomfort, provoking a new crime. A break between embezzlement can be a week or even a month. At this time, the person is tormented by guilt. Most often, kleptomaniacs get rid of stolen things: they are returned back to the crime scene or simply thrown out.

Consequences of kleptomania

The fact that to steal is bad and wrong, everyone knows from childhood. But people suffering kleptomania feel that they are powerless and can not cope with the disorder on their own. As a result, their psyche destroys guilt, shame and self-hatred. A person starts to lead an immoral way of life, being in constant confusion. Having found out at the person signs of a kleptomania, it is necessary to begin treatment immediately. Otherwise, serious legal, material and emotional problems may arise.

Treatment of dependence

Very few people from patients with kleptomania independently seek help from a specialist. Usually, dependency is revealed when a person is caught for stealing.

It is very difficult to overcome the disease independently. There are no standard methods of treatment of the disorder, they all include psychotherapy and drugs that are prescribed individually.

Before starting treatment, the specialist conducts an assessment of the patient's physical and mental condition . To do this, the kleptomaniac must undergo laboratory tests, make an MRI, CT and pass a blood test. This will help to diagnose more accurately. At psychological check the patient fills in special questionnaires, it helps to reveal the symptoms of kleptomania.

There is no specific type of medication that helps cure the disease. Experts always use complex treatment, selecting drugs and ways of treatment for each patient individually.

Prevention of kleptomania

Who is a kleptomaniac and how to warn oneself against the disease? According to statistics, 10% of people once stole anything. In 50% of cases, they did it by accident out of curiosity. To warn yourself against the disease is impossible. Doctors still can not answer the question about the occurrence of this illness. It is important to recognize kleptomania in time to start treatment and prevent possible unpleasant consequences.

As soon as a person starts to commit uncontrolled theft, it is important not to give this pernicious desire to develop into a chronic disorder that in the future will be difficult to overcome.

Support and help from relatives

Close people can participate with the patient in therapeutic sessions. It will 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.

Dependent person is extremely important to help relatives, because the recovery will take quite a lot of time. Often, the kleptomaniac's relatives and loved ones experience stress and fatigue. To relieve stress it is recommended to use various relaxation techniques or simply spend more free time with friends.

It is very important not to blame the patient for what he does. After all, kleptomania is a mental illness, not weakness, lack of willpower and lack of character. It is very important to talk with a person, help him, assess the actions impartially without condemning him.

In order for support to have a beneficial effect, one should prepare for such conversations by visiting a therapist. He will be able to suggest the rules of behavior that will help a person open up and tell about their experiences. Then by joint efforts the kleptomaniac can overcome his illness.