noun
- a mental disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to steal items that are not needed for personal use or monetary value
Usage: medical/psychological term
Examples
- The psychologist diagnosed her with kleptomania after she repeatedly stole small items from stores.
- Kleptomania is different from ordinary theft because the person doesn’t steal for profit.
- His kleptomania caused him to take things he didn’t even want or need.
- Treatment for kleptomania often involves therapy and sometimes medication.
- People with kleptomania feel tension before stealing and relief afterward.
- The court ordered a psychological evaluation to determine if kleptomania was a factor in the case.