Which statement about the epidemiology and course of kleptomania is CORRECT?
- A It is more common in women, with onset usually in adolescence ✓
- B Onset is typically after 40 years of age
- C It is more common in men than in women
- D Stolen objects are typically sold for monetary gain
Correct answer: A. It is more common in women, with onset usually in adolescence
Explanation
Kleptomania is more common in women, and onset characteristically occurs in adolescence, though many patients present years later due to shame and delayed help-seeking. The course is chronic with waxing and waning intensity. Option D describes ordinary theft or shoplifting for gain, which explicitly excludes the diagnosis, since DSM-5 requires that the objects are stolen neither for personal use nor for their monetary value. Mood, anxiety, substance use and eating disorders are frequent comorbidities.
Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.
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