Kleptomania in children
Kleptomania or the habit of stealing in children: How to deal with it?
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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