Kleptomania (from Greek: κλέπτειν, kleptein, "to steal", and μανία, "mania") is an irresistible urge to steal items of trivial value. People with this disorder are compelled to steal things, generally, but not limited to, objects of little or no significant value, such as pens, paper clips, paper and tape. Some kleptomaniacs may not even be aware that they have committed the theft^{[dubious – discuss]}.

Kleptomania was first officially recognized in the US as a mental disorder in the 1960s^{[citation needed]} in the case of State of California v. Douglas Jones.^{[citation needed]}

Kleptomania is distinguished from shoplifting or ordinary theft, as shoplifters and thieves generally steal for monetary value, or associated gains and usually display intent or premeditation, while kleptomaniacs are not necessarily contemplating the value of the items they steal or even the theft until they are compelled without motive.

Increasing brain research and clinical work indicate that shoplifting and stealing can become addictive-compulsive disorders.^{[citation needed]} Hence, the terms "shoplifting addiction" or "theft addiction" or "compulsive theft or stealing" have gained popularity and credence recently.^{[citation needed]} There even are books^{[citation needed]} and support groups^{[citation needed]} devoted to recovery from addictive-compulsive shoplifting or stealing. Most "theft addicts" are neither kleptomaniacs nor typical criminals who steal for profit or due to sociopathic or characterological issues.