Kleptomania & Pyromania Flashcards
What are the disruptive impulse-control, and conduct disorders (DICCDs)?
DICCD Diagnostic Possibilities •Oppositional Defiant Disorder •Conduct Disorder • •Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Above are problems of self-control of emotions. (Anger)
•Kleptomania •Pyromania
Above are self-control of specific actions (stealing, lighting fires)
What are the diagnostic criteria of kleptomania?
Diagnostic Criteria
►Recurrent irresistible stealing of unneeded objects
►Increasing tension before stealing
►Pleasure, gratification, or relief when stealing
►No other cause or motivating factor for theft
Description: Stolen items are unwanted and typically of low value; they are hoarded, given away, or returned.
Differential: “Ordinary” shoplifting:
▪Object is the goal (not the process)
▪Usually planned and assisted
What are the diagnostic criteria of pyromania?
Diagnostic Criteria
►Multiple episodes of deliberate fire setting with preceding tension or emotional arousal
►Fascination with fire and fire paraphernalia
►Pleasure, gratification, or relief when setting fires
or witnessing/participating in the aftermath
►No other cause or motivating factor
Differential: Arson (non-pyromaniac): Need to assess motivation for setting fire
What are the biochemical correlates of impulse control?
Biochemical Correlates
▪ ↓serotonin associated with poor prefrontal
impulse control
▪ ↑dopamine associated with rewarding sensation during impulsive act (stimulation of brain’s reward pathway)
▪ Ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens
What are the treatment approaches of impulse control problems ?
Treatment Approaches
• Behavioral Therapy Techniques
▪ Avoiding triggers of behavior or substituting a
behavior when triggers are encountered
▪ Associate impulse with something noxious (aversion
therapy)
▪ Expose person to trigger and don’t let impulsive action occur (Exposure & Response Prevention)
• Medication
• Many types of medications have been tried (e.g.,
SSRIs) with variable success
