These people steal things of little monetary or personal value impulsively and with no preplanning, even though they frequently develop a criminal record for shoplifting. They experience a sudden urge to steal something, often surprising themselves, and that urge accompanied by increasing tension becomes overpowering, only to be relieved by shoplifting something. They may feel remorseful later and either give the object away or try to return it to the store. A few patients have amnesia for their theft, and another subgroup “don’t even think about it” and do it by habit (2). In severe cases, they may become homebound because of fear of exposure to places where they might steal. The female-to-male ratio is 2-3:1; the “typical” patient is a married woman in her 30s; and approximately 5%⁺ of all shoplifters have kleptomania.

These patients have marked comorbidity, with mood (high rate of attempted suicide) and substance disorders particularly common, as well as anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and other ICDs. Although OCD is not common, hoarding is (3). Treatment is of unproven effectiveness, but consists of a variety of behavioral techniques as well as occasionally effective SSRIs, valproate, lithium, and naltrexone (4).