Kleptomania: when compulsive stealing takes over your life

What drives some people to steal compulsively?

This week, as part of our special four-part series Criminal Psychology, we're talking about kleptomania and the impact it can have on a person's life.

We speak to someone who’s been diagnosed with kleptomania about their experiences; from their urges to steal, to the guilt and shame they feel.

We also chat to a psychiatrist about what treatment looks like for people with kleptomania.

Guests:

Lynn

Dr Sam ChamberlainProfessor of Psychiatry, University of Southampton 

Credits:

• Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
• Reporter/senior producer: James Bullen
• Producer: Rose Kerr
• Sound engineer: Emrys Cronin

More information:

Symptom Severity and Its Clinical Correlates in Kleptomania

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of the Opiate Antagonist, Naltrexone, in the Treatment of Kleptomania

Why do young children sometimes steal? And what should parents do about it?

Kleptomania — Mayo Clinic

Kleptomania and Potential Exacerbating Factors