Related Experiment Videos
Adolescent kleptomania treated with naltrexone--a case report
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis 55454, USA. grant045@umn.edu
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
|May 30, 2002
Summary
Kleptomania, the urge to steal items not needed, often begins in adolescence. This case study shows naltrexone may effectively treat kleptomania in adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Kleptomania is an impulse-control disorder characterized by recurrent, unsuccessful urges to steal.
- It is often secret, underrecognized by clinicians, and poorly documented in adolescent literature.
- Onset typically occurs during adolescence, a critical developmental period.
Observation:
- This report details a case of adolescent kleptomania.
- The adolescent patient presented with symptoms consistent with kleptomania.
- The case highlights the challenges in diagnosing and treating this disorder in young individuals.
Findings:
- The adolescent patient with kleptomania demonstrated a positive response to naltrexone treatment.
- Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, showed potential efficacy in managing kleptomania symptoms.
- This suggests a possible pharmacological pathway for treating kleptomania.
Implications:
- Naltrexone may offer a novel therapeutic option for adolescent kleptomania.
- Further research is warranted to explore naltrexone's efficacy and safety in larger adolescent populations.
- Increased clinical awareness and research are crucial for addressing this disabling disorder.