Kleptomania is an abstract disorder. It is known as uncontrollable stealing which is generally an urge or desire to steal. To steal anything is less valuable but if not stopped it might become a habit as kids grow up. Somehow, most parents don’t know what kleptomania is in kids and how to manage it. We are here with some proven strategies to handle kleptomania in your children.

What is Kleptomania in children?

The situation or habit of not being able to withstand the urge to collect or put by anything is called kleptomania. Children with this mental disorder are impelled to steal things, generally objects of little or no notable value, like pens, pencils, tape, paper clips, signs, rubber, eraser, traffic cones, cosmetics, and small toys.

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Kleptomania is an irresistible desire to snap something. It generally begins at adolescence and is seen as a rare case in children. Kleptomaniacs are not criminals in thought but they steal because they are mentally unstable. Research has shown that kleptomania is more common in women than men. However, children too are influenced by it.

Causes of Kleptomania in children

Still, it is unknown the causes of kleptomania in children. It may be a result of environmental, psychological, and biological factors. Many suggest that changes in the brain may be the root cause of kleptomania. More research initiatives are necessary to find out the possible causes of kleptomania. Let’s check out here the most common causes of kleptomania:

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Environmental Causes

Kleptomania in children is not a big issue. Child development experts suggest the following general trend of stealing:

-        Many children love to take home particular things they like that generally do not belong to them.

-        Kids of 2-4 year old do not have a clear idea between yours and mine and general sharing, so they take things home. Actually, this cannot be marked as stealing.

-        Children of 5-8-year-olds are aware of the ownership. If they take anything that does not belong to them, they hide them and try to subterfuge when they are asked about that. It is normal that they cannot have self-control. But parents need to be concerned about this behavior. However, they need not worry too much considering it as a never-to-die habit.

-        It is really a matter of serious concern for kids of 8 years or more. It becomes impossible to refrain these kids from the stealing habit although they are corrected several times.

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Psychological Causes

-        The kids who are anxious or angry and attention seekers may steal at home, school, or with friends. In these cases, of course, they need help, as they are enduring serious physical and emotional abuse.

-        Most children are compelled to steal when they do not afford to buy certain items. They may steal to own some popular branded items or may do so to support their drug habit.

Biological Causes

Brain activity pattern

When the neurotransmitter serotonin decreases in the brain, it often causes risk-taking behaviors. Serotonin controls the mood and emotions of a person. Moreover, there may also be a flow in dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter switch on the enjoyment of the brain. This causes the stealing act in the child and the child gets pleasure from it.

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The stolen object may symbolize something else

With psychological treatments with Kleptomaniac, it is discovered that the stolen object is not the main target of the child. It could epitomize something else. When a child does not fulfill some particular wishes that he or she doesn't like to disclose or speak out, then kleptomania in a child could arise. They try to fulfill this unspoken desire by stealing objects.

Deprivation or loss

Kleptomania in children is not only associated with impetuous actions, but also with imaginary loss or deprivation.  Sometimes children experience an imaginary loss or deprivation that allures them to take the acts of stealing. They may be coping with the loss by stealing objects.

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Symptoms of Kleptomania in children

Kleptomania symptoms in children are as follow:

-        Helplessness to resist the urges to steal items that you don't need.

-        They feel huge tension, anxiety, or arousal leading up to the theft.

-        While stealing they feel pleasure, relief, or gratification.

-        After the theft, they experience terrible guilt, shame, remorse, self-loathing, or fear of arrest.

-        They feel the return of the urges and a repetition of the kleptomania in them again and again.

-        Children with kleptomania don't generally steal for personal gain, on a dare, for revenge, or out of rebellion. They do it because they cannot resist the temptation to steal.

-        Children experience kleptomania generally spontaneously, usually without planning and without help or collaboration from another person.

-        Children with kleptomania generally steal from public places like stores and supermarkets.

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Remedies of Kleptomania in children

Children with Kleptomania must be treated. These children are not criminals anyway. We have to remember that they are suffering from a disorder. Too much scolding and ridiculing is the ultimate solution. The parents who are capable of managing this habit of their children are recommended to consult a psychologist or therapist.

Do not overlook the problem

Basically, children like to possess other things and everyone knows that. It is a childish act but not stealing. However, parents need to be careful if their kids pick up this habit and try to nip it in the bud.

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Do not punish the child

Awarding punishment never brings good things. Kids become inflexible. Parents should make their children understand that it is not a good act. They must guide their kids to return the stolen objects and seek an apology.

Praise the child

If the stolen thing gets damaged or lost anyhow, tell your child to buy it with his own money and return it to the person whose thing it was. Never forget to praise your child for this good act, once he does this.

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Try to find out the psychological reasons

Try to identify the psychological or other reason behind your kid’s stealing activities. Maybe he or she keeps a bad company or faces some emotional issues at school or nurturing a grudge against someone. Ask them the reason at first. Encourage your child to speak up, to tell you the exact reason. This will comfort your child and help him to respect your feelings as well.