[The Concept and Treatment of Kleptomania].

Research on kleptomania has lagged behind that of other mental disorders, and very few clinicians specialize in treating such patients. Futhermore, the descriptive outline of kleptomania in the DSM-5 is vague. In 2008, we started a registration system for patients suffering from habitual theft, which has recorded 1430 cases since its inauguration. In this report, we explain the concept of kleptomania and describe our clinical experience in the treatment of patients suffering from this mental disorder. The most frequent complication of kleptomania was found to be eating disorder (especially bulimia). Although many factors contribute to the close relationship between these two mental disorders, the theory of "saving money on food expenses" as the motive for thefts committed by eating disorder patients, oversimplifies a complicated matter, and is inadequate as an explanation of the mechanism of this relationship. Medical treatment for kleptomania presently comprises counseling (individual psychotherapy), cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, group psychotherapy, psychodrama, and self-help groups, among others. In our addiction treatment approach, we have developed and implemented a program wherein recovered (recovering) patients share their personal experiences with newcomers and beginners, as well as their family members. We strongly encourage patients with kleptomania to participate in self-help groups.