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Colin A asked in HealthMental Health · 9 years ago

Is Cleptomania a sign of ADHD?

My friend does not understand her daughter may have ADHD her daughter is always stealing other childrens toys and books from school or her friends homes and her mother has to check her daughters pockets before she leaves anyones house or shop. Her daughter shows all the other symptoms and is 7 years old

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  • Jody
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    No. Kleptomania is a mental disorder in its own right. Kleptomaniacs are compelled to steal things, generally objects of little or no significant value.

    Kleptomania is not an Addictive-Compulsive disorder, also called "shoplifting addiction" or "theft addiction" or "compulsive theft or stealing". Most theft-addicts are not kleptomaniacs nor typical criminals who steal for profit or due to sociopathic issues.

    Kleptomania is usually thought of as part of the obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum or impulse control disorders.

  • 9 years ago

    It doesn't sound to me like ADHD. It could be that the child is starving for attention and likes to steal things hoping to get caugh, just to draw attention to herself. It could also be that the kid is a nasty spoiled brat and wants to be mean to other children. If it's a psychological problem, I would think it falls into the category of obsessive compulsive disorder moreso than ADHD.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    9 years ago

    Stealing things is a sign of Cleptomania.

    Her mother just needs to explain to her that not everything is hers, all children go through the "Mine!" stage, parents just need to be forcefull to prevent their children from growing up as a thug.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    9 years ago

    I don't believe kleptomania is a sign for ADHD, but it could be a sign of some other psychiatric problem.

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    *Kleptomania, you mean.

    No they are two entirely different things.

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