An adolescent boy with kleptomania and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder treated with methylphenidate and guanfacine: A case report

Abstract

AbstractWe present the case of a patient, a boy of 16 years of age at initial presentation, with kleptomania, an impulse disorder characterized by an impulse to steal unneeded items, and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The patient's parents reported that he would frequently impulsively steal items and money that he did not need. Cognitive and physical assessments revealed no abnormalities, and the patient had no history of substance abuse. The patient was diagnosed with kleptomania and ADHD. The patient was started on Osmotic Release Oral System Methylphenidate (OROS‐MPH), a medication commonly used to treat ADHD, and experienced improvement in ADHD symptoms and stealing behavior. At 19 years of age, it was discovered that the patient's behavioral symptoms were uncontrolled during times of the day when the blood concentration of MPH was likely to have waned. After starting an additional dose of guanfacine at night, his symptoms during these times of day improved. While existing research is not definitive, there may be a connection between ADHD and kleptomania. Further, there are some reports that treatment of ADHD with MPH also reduced stealing behavior, aligning with our present findings. We discuss the potential mechanisms behind these improvements and further present the first evidence of the efficacy of guanfacine in the treatment of kleptomania.