Is it Kleptomania or just a stealing habit? (My Cousin Sister)

Few week ago, I went to visit my aunt who lives in Masaka, Nasarawa State. She has three children. During my visit, something happened.

When I got to the house, I saw my aunt, we greeted and after some while I took off my wristwatch and keep it on the table. After a few minutes, I couldn’t find it again. I looked around but it was gone. I told my aunt that I can find my watch and without thinking too much or hesitating, she called the name of her second daughter and asked her to return the watch.

Surprisingly, the girl was not even in the room when the watch went missing. So, I asked my aunt how she knew her second daughter was the one who took it and she said, She’s used to taking people’s things. I was a little bit shocked and then decided to talk to the girl. I called her and spoke to her calmly. She opened up to me and said, Yes, she have been taking people’s things for some time now. I asked her if she sell them or give them away and she replied No, I just keep them in my drawer.

I became more curious. Why would someone take things they don’t need and just keep them? I called my aunt and told her what her daughter said. The girl then took us to her drawer. We opened it and saw some things inside. They were things that did not belong to her, things she had taken from different people and most of them were not even useful to her.

My aunt was very shocked and said her daughter must be possessed. But I told her, I don’t think this is a spiritual problem. I think her daughter might be suffering from kleptomania.

l explained what Kleptomania is to, when someone feels a strong urge to take things that don’t belong to them, even if they don’t need those things. They don’t take something that is not theirs because they want to sell or use them. They just feel like taking it, and after doing so, they feel bad but still can’t stop themselves. It is different from someone who steals because they want money. That is called a stealing habit.

Stealing habit is when someone chooses to take things, maybe to sell or use. Most people don't really want to steal, but the urge is too strong. Even when they know it’s wrong, they still do it.

After stealing, they may feel guilty. But when the feeling comes again, they do it again. The girl told me, I know it’s wrong to take what is not mine. I always feel bad after doing it. But sometimes, I just can’t stop myself. That is why I think it is kleptomania. So, is this stealing or kleptomania?

If someone takes things because they want them or want to sell them, that’s stealing. But if the person takes things without needing them, hides them, and feels bad after doing it, it may be kleptomania. I told my aunt that her daughter might need help, not punishment. She needs to see a doctor or counselor who understands this kind of problem.