Compose a 1250 words assignment on buying behavior: a need or a disorder. Needs to be plagiarism free! It is also an aspect that has been given little importance over the years even though it is a pressing reality that needs to be paid heed to in relation to obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Stealing by kleptomaniacs is of objects that are not necessarily valuable. The objects that a kleptomaniac steals are disposed of, hoarded, given away, or returned. Even though they do not consume the object or steal it for any personal gain, they feel guilty or depressed soon after the feeling of relief that accompanies the stealing. Studies show that mostly kleptomaniacs are women and the onset of this disease is in adolescence or in an even younger age. The majority of kleptomaniacs steal from stores and like most people with an obsessive-compulsive disorder, they fail at stopping their misdemeanor and experience gratification on committing the act.

Mostly they are just chided for their behavior but at times they are jailed. Also, it is very different from the term ‘shoplifting’ because shoplifters steal for some gain and they actually consume the object rather than suffer from some psychological dysfunction that compels them to steal. Hence, shoplifters are fully liable for their actions because they have full control over themselves. (Grant)

Also in the case of kleptomaniacs, treatment is necessary to overcome this disorder instead of punishing because the person with the disorder is also helpless in the face of his obsessive compulsion. Also called “pathological stealing,” it is not the person’s fault that they commit the crime, unlike thieves who may use this excuse to get out of jail or evade any other punishment. There is a disconnect between their brain’s processing of information and the neural messenger of the brain, serotonin, which is lower in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are many treatments for this disease but one cannot be sure that the treatment is working and it needs to be implemented over long periods of time. All those who steal for some purpose are merely just thieves because their intent is to consume or otherwise make use of the value of the object.