[Kleptomania: clinical and legal aspects]

Kleptomania is characterized by repetitive and irresistible impulses to steal objects, with growing excitement before, and relief after the incidents. The thefts are not planned, carried out without confidants and regarded as illegal by the offenders who often feel guilty for it. The objects are stolen not for monetary gain or personal use, but are mostly discarded, given away or hoarded. Though there is a debate going on for more than 100 years, the nosological position of kleptomania remains unclear. On the one hand the clinical picture is observed as an isolated disorder in otherwise healthy persons, on the other hand it may also occur as an accompanying symptom of various other psychiatric disorders, e. g. impulse control disorders, acute psychoses, affective, or organic psychic disorders. The present article gives an overview of the most important aetiopathogenetic viewpoints about kleptomania and discusses their nosological, therapeutical and legal implications.