“I told them the story of the little Jewish boy from Nazareth. He too was hounded by the potentates of his Day.
Not because he was rich (He had no money)
Not because he claimed to be the son of God ( they did not believe him)
Not because he was Jewish (his own people hated him most).
They crucified him for the same reason they crucified other prophets before him.
He told them the truth about themselves.
He dared money lenders to “DESTROY THIS TEMPLE”, and for that he had to be crucified between two thieves who were not half as crooked as the men who ordered their crucification.
(Diary of A Homeless Prodigal By Obi B. Egbuna)”
In the early 60s, as I grew up in my home town Igbere, stealing was an anathema, very reprehensible and considered a heinous crime. Anybody who stole was stripped naked with fresh palm fronds (Omu) woven and placed on the person’s neck, and subsequently paraded round the 13 villages that make up Igbere town. After that the person was excommunicated and banished. Even members of his or her family, out of shame, would quietly migrate to neighbouring towns to live.
In Igbo tradition, there are three things considered so abominable that whenever one wants to marry, those three things must be ruled out from the intended family for both bride and groom.
They are: is there madness in the family? Does the family steal and lastly, is the family an “Osu” (outcast)?
Every other evil or indiscretion by groom or bride’s family could be tolerated or forgiven but these three, up till today are still no-go-areas.
Someone who was being mischievous told me that kleptomania is just a fancy word for stealing.
I agreed with him totally. But kleptomania is a compound stealing. Actually kleptomania is a complex impulse control disorder. It is an inability to resist the urge of stealing. It is characterized by problems with emotional or behavioral self-control. People with impulse control disorder have difficulty in resisting the temptation to steal things, which are generally not required or have very little value for them. It is a psychological condition and it can be treated with medications or psychotherapy. Many people live in secret shame, due to fear from mental health treatment.
The urge to steal may occur with greater or lesser intensities over the course of time. They never use the stolen item; sometimes they donate or return them to the same place. People with kleptomania may have some other co-existing mental disorders such as social phobia, major depression, panic attacks, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, substance abuse and obsessive – compulsive-disorder (OCD). The episodes of kleptomania occur spontaneously. It does not happen with planning and with help from another person. They steal from public places such as stores and supermarkets or at friend’s parties. Kleptomania is more common in females than males.
There are usually five types of kleptomania which include:
Impulsive kleptomania: people with this type feel sudden urges to steal without planning it before hand. They might steal in crowded places or choose items that are easy to conceal, so they are less likely to get caught.
Covert kleptomania: some individuals try to hide their stealing behaviour. They might steal in crowded places or choose items that are easy to conceal so they are less likely to get caught
Overt kleptomania: on the other hand, some people with kleptomania steal openly without trying to hide it. This can lead to more immediate consequences such as lynching, extrajudicial killing, legal trouble or societal judgment.
Sporadic kleptomania: kleptomania episodes are usually sporadic, meaning they happen from time to time. Some individuals may go for long periods without stealing while others might have more frequent episodes.
Chronic kleptomania: for a few individuals, it becomes a long term problem. They steal more often and have difficulty controlling their urges consistently.
Remember it is a mental health disorder and differs from regular theft or shoplifting. It is often connected to underlying emotional or psychological resistance with anxiety, depression, or impulse control problems.
Just how common is kleptomania? It is thought to be relatively rare. But the advent of poverty has masked and increased what people could regard as kleptomania. Remember armed robbery, banditry, road waylaying, and forceful snatching of things are not kleptomania – these are people with grudges against the society or individuals. They usually perpetuate their acts as vengeance or revenge for perceived wrongs done.
Estimates according to research by Harvard University place the incidence of kleptomania in the world somewhere between 0.3 to 0.6 of the population, although it had also been suggested that the real number may be higher.
Because people may feel embarrassed or ashamed of their condition, the disorder is thought to be underreported. One study of clinical patients found that nearly 3.4 to 28 percent reported current symptoms, consistent with kleptomania.
The exact pathophysiology of kleptomania is not fully understood, but research suggests that it involves a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. There are certain features we must watch out for if we suspect someone of having kleptomaniac symptoms, which include:
Recurrent failure to resist impulse to steal objects;
Stealing is not for personal use or monetary value of the objects;
Stealing is not expressing anger or vengeance;
Stealing cannot be explained by other disorders e.g. conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, major depressive disorder.
Feel a sense of pleasure, gratification or relief at the time of committing the theft.
The cause of kleptomania is widely debated. Several theories claim that it is linked to the changes in brain parameters. It may be linked to the following:
Problems with serotonin – a chemical in the brain that modulates your mood and emotions,
Addiction – caused by dopamine, another brain chemical that propagates feeling of reward, thereby desirous of enforcing it by more stealing.
The diagnosis of kleptomania involves a thorough assessment conducted by a mental health professional. The treatment of kleptomania typically involves a combination of therapeutic approaches and in some cases medication. This includes psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
It helps the individuals identify and manage the underlying emotions, triggers and thought patterns associated with their stealing behavior. CBT aims to develop healthier coping strategies and improve impulse control.
In behavior modification techniques the therapist may use techniques like aversion therapy, where individual associate negative consequences with stealing behavior or systematic desensitization, which gradually exposes individuals to situations that trigger their urge to steal.
In some cases medications may be prescribed to help manage the symptoms of kleptomania.
Drugs used to treat anxiety and depressions are applied.
To prevent or reduce the incidence of kleptomania- the following guidance should be followed:
Seek early help if you struggle with impulsive behavior or impulse control issues
Treat and manage underlying mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
Learn and practice techniques to improve impulse control such as deep breathing or mindfulness.
Identify triggers that may lead to stealing urges and develop alternative copying strategies.
Build a support network of understanding family and friends, who can provide guidance and encouragement.
Avoid high-risk environments or situations that may increase the temptations to steal.
Take care of your physical and emotional wellbeing through proper sleep, nutrition, exercise and self care activities.
Always be medically guided.
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