Kleptomania is a mental health condition where an individual experiences an uncontrollable urge to steal. It is also classified as an impulse control disorder. Individuals suffering from Kleptomania are referred to as a kleptomaniac.
Most individuals who suffer from Kleptomania suffer from embarrassment or humiliation to seek professional help. However, individuals suffering from this disorder must receive help. It is particularly difficult to recover or overcome Kleptomania without the help of a professional.
When an individual does not seek professional help, it is likely that the disorder will become a long-term condition. If you notice someone suffering from this disorder, you must be very careful as it is a sensitive matter. You must be responsible enough not to make a show out of the person or their condition.
Therefore if you come across a person suffering from this disorder, there are several tips on how you can deal with the situation and make it favorable for them.
- Understanding the Gravity of the Situation
When you are addressing or dealing with an individual suffering from Kleptomania, it is to be understood that the intentions of the kleptomaniac are not evil. No kleptomaniac commits any act with the intention of becoming rich.
All the actions that are conducted or committed by a kleptomaniac are only done for mental satisfaction and to pacify their urges of stealing. These urges are experienced by the individual who is suffering from Kleptomania.
Most patients do not value the items that they steal but rather value the act of stealing. It is also noticed that kleptomaniacs steal insignificant objects. Hence when you deal with a person suffering from this disease, you must always keep in mind that the intentions of such individuals are not to commit evil or hurt anyone by their actions.
- Address the Situation Sensitively
Individuals suffering from Kleptomania deserve love, care and understanding from their loved one and family members. This is very important to help them in the process of recovery.
It is important to understand that a kleptomaniac individual must never be forced to feel guilty about the actions they commit or the emotions they feel. The situation must be recognized as a sensitive matter and must be dealt with carefully.
When you address the situation with the person suffering from this disorder, you must always be compassionate and gentle. Try to talk to the individual and understand their emotions and feelings.
- Understand it is Different From Stealing
All the loved ones and family members around the individual suffering from this disorder must understand that an act of Kleptomania is very different from the act of stealing. Stealing is a crime that is organized and committed in full consciousness.
When an act of stealing is committed by an individual, they steal to gain something from the object. However, when a kleptomaniac commits an act, it is done solely for the satisfaction they received from committing the process. The individual suffering from this disorder conducts the act for psychological satisfaction.
When an individual suffering from the disorder is committing an act, they are completely aware that the actions they are conducting are not right; however, they cannot control their impulse or urge to steal.
- Look and Different Treatment Procedures
Once you have addressed the patient and they want to take necessary actions to help their condition, you must look for an experienced professional to help them. A professional will first diagnose and look at all the symptoms of the patient.
Then the doctor will conduct a proper treatment plan with the help of different therapy treatments that might be beneficial for the patient. Each patient will have a unique therapy treatment according to their symptoms. When a patient seeks regular treatment care, they will experience a shift in their urge and tendencies to steal.
Final Thoughts
The person suffering from Kleptomania is often misunderstood. Both the person suffering from the disease and their respective family members experience several overwhelming actions and emotions. Therefore if you notice someone or come across someone who might be suffering from Kleptomania, you must address the situation very carefully.
It is important that you take the decisions and actions that are in the best interest of the individual. If you are looking to search for professional help for the individual, then you must surely contact the best professional experts from the field at Apollo Hospital.
