How do you identify a person with kleptomania?

Answer 1

Kelptomaniacs are practiced at stealing, secretly, quietly, and unnoticed. They will be quieter, speech may be with chosen words so as to not attract attention. They will avoid mention of their lives, appear secretive, many are more reclusive. To relieve anxiety, they steal, may feel remorse, may return items or even may give the stolen items to others. Some have fetishes which present with the theft of personal items, such as underwear.

They avoid confrontation because confrontation creates anxiety, and repeats the cycle. As they become practiced, unnoticed, with experience, they will focus on bigger and bigger thefts, becoming very adept at planning. They may be detailed orientated and very successful. Many will have homes that appear very disorganized, at futile attempts to hide stolen items. Most will not allow people in their homes. Some will display stolen items, take pictures in their homes to confirm false ownership, and most will utilize lies to avoid criminal charges. Experienced at stealing, they may perform breaking and entering, may even choose murder rather than face being caught. They can be dangerous. Medicine can reduce anxiety, which reduces the episodes of kleptomania, but it is not curable.