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with KLEPTOMANIA"

"Beneath the Surface: Struggling


with KLEPTOMANIA"
 Brainstorm Med Tv " October 05, 2023

"Beneath the Surface: Struggling with


KLEPTOMANIA"

Navigating the sprawling campus on my first day as


a freshman was an adventure in itself, and not
necessarily a pleasant one. Armed with a campus
map that might as well have been written in an alien
language, I found myself wandering aimlessly,
growing increasingly frustrated with each wrong
turn and dead end. The sun beat down mercilessly,
intensifying my confusion and irritation. My
backpack, heavy with textbooks and uncertainty,
also clutching a big travelling bag containing
foodstu!s for the main time, seemed to weigh me
down even more. I had spent what felt like an
eternity trying to find my allocated hostel, but every
corner I turned only led to more unfamiliar sights.

I sat down on a pavement to relax a bit, luckily a girl


sat close to me, I summoned up courage to ask for
help “hey miss” I’m a fresher I said, how may I help
you, she asked calmly. I’m trying to find the hostel
allocated to me, what is the name? she asked.
Queen Elizabeth II hostel , I said wondering if she
knows it. With a reassuring chuckle, she reached
into her bag and pulled out a neatly folded campus
map. "Here, this might make things easier for you,"
she said, o!ering it to me. I accepted the map with
gratitude, she pointed out landmarks and key
buildings, explaining the layout of the campus in a
way that was both concise and clear. She seemed to
e!ortlessly demystify the chaos I had been
experiencing, and I realized that my hostel wasn't as
far away as my frustration had led me to believe.

I found myself stepping through the doors of my


new hostel, embarking on a journey that I hoped
would shape the next chapter of my life. As I
surveyed my surroundings, my initial excitement
gave way to a mixture of uncertainty and disbelief.
The paint on the walls was chipped in places,
revealing the layers of history that the place held.
The lighting was dim, casting a slightly gloomy
atmosphere over the area. It was a stark contrast to
the vibrant and modern image I had built up in my
mind. My room was equally underwhelming. The
bed creaked when I tentatively sat down, and the
mattress felt like it had seen more than its fair share
of restless nights. The wardrobe was small, barely
enough to hold my belongings, and the window
overlooked a courtyard that seemed to have been
neglected for quite some time. The bathroom was
functional but far from luxurious, with a lingering
scent of disinfectant that only seemed to amplify the
overall discomfort. I let out a sigh as I sat down on
the edge of the bed, I would get comfortable as time
goes on I assured myself. I unpacked my belongings
and started arranging them in the limited space I
had.

As I stepped into the lecture hall for the very first


time as an undergraduate, a whirlwind of
excitement and nervous anticipation churned within
me. The room buzzed with the energy of my fellow
course mates, their eager conversations and
exchanged laughter creating an atmosphere that
was both invigorating and slightly overwhelming.
The professor strode to the front of the room, their
presence commanding attention. With a warm
smile, they introduced themselves and began
explaining the intricacies of the course. As the
professor discussed the course fees and dues, my
eyes widened in disbelief. I had expected the costs
associated with university life, but the breakdown of
expenses—ranging from tuition to materials and
various fees—caught me o! guard, but anyways my
parents told me to call whenever I need anything
plus the weekly allowance I’m going to be receiving.

By 3:00 pm class came to an end, as I returned to my


room, I noticed a new presence. A neatly made bed
sat against the wall, and a small desk was now
occupied by someone's belongings. I blinked in
surprise, my heart racing with confusion. My
roommate, I guessed, entered the room with a
warm smile that immediately put me at ease. She
introduced herself with a friendly handshake, I’m
Sophia, she said, Peace, I replied. Hope we get along,
yeah sure I said quite happy to have a companion.
Which course are you o!ering she asked,” law” I
said, and you? Medicine, woaah! I exclaimed.

In the labyrinth of a mind consumed by an invisible


force, I struggled daily with a battle that no one else
could see. Urges that seemed to arise from the
depths of my subconscious ensued me, the urges
weren't just whispers; they were like waves crashing
against the walls of my self-control. I fought back, of
course I did, but the compulsion was an insidious
siren, its call impossible to ignore. In the midst of a
jewelry store's glimmering allure, my fingers
trembled with an uncontrollable urge. Drawn to a
delicate silver pendant, I battled the compulsion that
whispered promises of relief. Heart pounding, palms
sweaty, I glanced around, then quickly and discreetly
slipped the pendant into my palm. Guilt mingled
with fleeting satisfaction as I left the store.

Sophia, unaware of my struggle, began to notice


things going missing. Earrings that were once on her
desk would mysteriously vanish, and cherished
mementos would inexplicably disappear. At first, she
brushed it o! as forgetfulness, but as the incidents
continued, her sense of unease grew. My heart
would race as the urge to steal took over. I would try
to resist, but the tension would become unbearable,
a voice in my head whispering that taking something
would bring relief. And in moments of weakness, I
would give in, only to be consumed by guilt and
shame afterward.

Late at night when everybody must have gone to


bed, my thought lingered on my roommate's prized
possession—a pair of exquisite shoes that exuded
elegance. Although I had something like that, but I
just wanted hers, my heart raced as the compulsion
seized me, urging me to touch, to take, to possess.
The line between longing and action blurred, and
with trembling hands, I picked up the shoes and hid
it under my luggage.

By morning, Sophia raised an alarm about her


missing shoe, It didn't take long for the chaos to
reach a boiling point. Accusations flew, tempers
flared, and friendships strained under the weight of
suspicion. Of course, I was the prime suspect, fellow
friends kept urging me to speak up, I was clothed
with guilt, shame and embarrassment, I knew it was
time to spill all out, I told Sophia I wanted to speak
with her in private, tears welled up in my eyes as I
recounted the incident—the moment when
weakness had led me to steal her cherished shoe
and other things I have stolen. As I finished my
confession, I braced myself for Sophia’s reaction. But
to my astonishment, Sophia expression softened
with understanding, and she placed a comforting
hand on my shoulder.

You are su!ering from *KLEPTOMANIA* , Sophia


said to me, what is that I asked curiously,
Kleptomania is a mental health disorder
characterized by an impulse control problem that
leads to a recurrent and irresistible urge to steal
items that are not needed for personal use or
monetary gain. People with kleptomania typically
experience a sense of tension or anxiety before
committing the theft, followed by relief or
gratification afterward.

It's important to note that kleptomania is di!erent


from ordinary theft or shoplifting. People with
kleptomania steal items on impulse, often without
premeditation, and the items they steal are often of
little or no value to them. They might steal things
like trinkets, small items, or even items they could
easily a!ord to purchase, she explained. What
causes it, I asked, The exact cause of kleptomania is
not well understood, but it is believed to be related
to a combination of genetic, neurological, and
psychological factors. It is classified as an impulse
control disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is used
by mental health professionals to diagnose mental
health conditions, she said. How do you know all this
Sophia, oh, I once did a research work about
kleptomania, she answered. How can I be treated? I
asked, Treatment for kleptomania typically involves
psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy
(CBT) or other therapeutic approaches aimed at
addressing the underlying emotional and
psychological triggers for the impulsive behavior.
Medications, such as antidepressants, may also be
used in some cases to help control the urges
associated with kleptomania. it's important to seek
help from a mental health professional, she replied.
So I would have to go the hospital I asked, yes but
we must inform your parents first and I’m also here
to support you, she replied, hugging me...

Writer Details:Meekness
Location:University of Ibadan,Oyo State,Nigeria
.

Tags: Medical Articles

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