The use of selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs)‎ in kleptomania treatment three case reports

Abstract EN

Kleptomania is characterized by a recurrent failure to resist the impulse to steal objects not needed for personal use or their monetary value.

Although kleptomaniac behavior has been identified for decades, very little is known about the cause, prevalence and treatment of this disorder.

Current knowl-edge about kleptomania is generally derived from case reports and theoretic-cal studies on its aetiology.

With regard to co morbidity, kleptomania is re-lated to the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder and to the broader spectrum of affective disorders.

Accordingly, a psychopharmacological in-tervention with anti-depressant drugs or mood stabilizers may be possible, even though there are, to date, no known results from controlled therapy studies.

Nevertheless, the successful administration of such medication has been reported in several cases.

Assuming a disturbed central serotonin re-uptake, the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) seems to be indicated.

In conclusion, in our study three outpatients diagnosed with kleptomania and receiving SSRI treatment are presented.