A person can have enough money to buy whatever they want and still feel an overwhelming urge to steal something from a shop.
That behaviour can sometimes be linked to kleptomania, a rare mental health disorder in which people repeatedly struggle to resist impulses to steal items they do not necessarily need or want for their monetary value.
Unlike theft motivated primarily by financial hardship or profit, kleptomania is associated with the psychological experience surrounding the act. A person may feel mounting tension or distress before stealing and temporary relief or gratification afterwards, followed in many cases by guilt and shame.
The condition is considered uncommon, with commonly cited estimates placing its prevalence at about 0.3 to 0.6 percent of the population. It is diagnosed more often in women, although researchers caution that stigma and underreporting make it difficult to determine its true prevalence.
Research has found that kleptomania often begins during adolescence or early adulthood. People affected may steal items of little practical or financial value and may later hide, give away or even return them.
This is one reason the condition can be difficult for the public to understand. A person may steal something as simple as food, clothing or another inexpensive item even when they have enough money to purchase it.
The case of American actress Winona Ryder brought enormous public attention to the subject after she was arrested for shoplifting from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills in 2001.
Ryder was convicted over the theft of merchandise worth about $5,500. Her case was widely discussed in connection with kleptomania, although later reporting has noted that she never publicly confirmed that she had the disorder and subsequently offered other explanations for her behaviour.
Kleptomania is not simply another word for shoplifting. Mental health professionals distinguish it from deliberate theft carried out for financial gain, personal use, revenge or other planned purposes.
Diagnosis involves assessing the circumstances surrounding the stealing and determining whether the behaviour is driven by recurrent, difficult-to-control impulses rather than another condition or motivation.
The disorder can occur alongside other mental health difficulties, including depression and anxiety, and can cause serious consequences for relationships, finances, employment and a person’s interaction with the justice system.
Its causes are not fully understood. Researchers have examined biological, psychological and environmental factors, while stress and other mental health problems may contribute to the development or worsening of symptoms. Childhood trauma or neglect may be relevant for some individuals, but they should not be presented as a single proven cause.
Treatment can help people manage the condition. Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural approaches, is commonly used to help patients recognise triggers, understand their urges and develop strategies for resisting them. Medication may also be considered in some cases.
The condition therefore presents a difficult distinction between an unlawful act and the mental health problem that may contribute to it.
Understanding that distinction does not make stealing acceptable, but it can help people recognise when repeated theft may be a symptom requiring professional assessment rather than simply a desire for material gain.
