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Medical Video: Curing Kleptomania
Did you know that kleptomania can be cured. Kleptomania is a mental health disorder that makes you unable to resist the urge to steal items that are usually not really needed and only have little value. This disorder is included in impulse control disorders characterized by difficulty controlling the urge to take excessive or dangerous actions and harm you and others. Overcoming kleptomania needs to be a priority so that the symptoms don't get worse.
Various ways to overcome kleptomania
Kleptomania is very difficult to overcome alone without the help of experts. Usually, this mental disorder can be overcome with a variety of the following treatment options:
1. Medicine
Indeed, there is no drug specifically approved to treat kleptomania. Doctors will usually prescribe medication for other mental health disorders such as:
- Drugs to overcome addiction like naltrexone and opioid antagonists. This group of drugs can help reduce the urge and pleasure of someone to steal.
- Antidepressants, especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Paroxetine (Paxil), and Sertraline (Zoloft).
It is hoped that by providing these medicines, people with kleptomania can better control their impulses. That way, the tendency to shoplifting goods that are not his property can be suppressed. In addition, doctors also usually prescribe various combinations of drugs that are suitable for each patient's condition.
2. Psychotherapy
The type of psychotherapy used to treat kleptomania is cognitive behavioral therapy. This method helps you to recognize unhealthy negative drives and behaviors (in this case, shoplifting goods) and replace them in a healthier and more positive way. Cognitive therapy behavior is usually carried out with various techniques such as:
- Covert sensitization, which is a technique that is done by asking you to imagine yourself facing the worst consequences such as going to jail for stealing.
- Aversion therapy, done by holding your breath until you feel uncomfortable every time a urge to steal appears.
- Systematic desensitization, relaxation and self-portrayal techniques to control the urge to steal.
In addition to the above therapies, there are several other therapies that can be used such as modified behavior therapy, family therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Counseling or therapy can be done individually (individually) or in groups.
To help avoid post-treatment relapse, be sure to keep the doctor's recommended treatment plan complete. Don't hesitate to go back to consulting your mental health professional when the various treatments taken don't work.
Although it cannot be completely cured, treatment is expected to reduce a person's symptoms and tendency to take things that are not his.
