Winona Ryder was found guilty yesterday, November 6, on two counts
of stealing $5,500 worth of designer goods from Saks Fifth Avenue in
Beverly Hills, California. The famous actress must now wait until
December 6 to receive her sentencing, which could range from a fine and
probation to up to three years in jail.
The well-off--and fashion-conscious--Ryder fits neatly into the
textbook definition of Kleptomania. According to the
DSM-IV, the definitive guide to psychological
diagnosis, Ryder's case is typical of the behaviors associated with the
impulse control disorder:
• The essential feature of Kleptomania is stealing for the
sake of performing the act, rather than for personal use or
profit.
• Two out of three kleptomaniacs are female.
• 5 percent of shoplifters are kleptomaniacs.
• Most kleptomaniacs can afford what they steal.
• Once an object is stolen, it is generally discarded as
worthless.
While Ryder awaits her sentencing, there is a possibility that she
will learn from her mistakes. And as prosecutor Ann Rundle told reporters
outside the courthouse, "We simply ask Miss Ryder to accept
responsibility." Unfortunately, whether or not she claims the blame,
Ryder's tendencies will most likely remain an issue: research suggests
that even with multiple convictions, kleptomaniacs typically battle the
disorder for years.
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