Researchers at Stanford University are asking people with a propensity for stealing to come forward — but not with the intention of turning them in to the authorities. Rather, they are being invited to participate in a study to find out whether Lexapro, a drug that increases serotonin levels, could be used to treat kleptomania.

However, in spite of assurances of confidentiality, the team, led by Lorrin Koran, are having difficulty recruiting their subjects. Team member Elias Aboujaoude said “People are hesitant to come forward, because what they are doing is illegal and very stigmatized. We're approaching it as an impulse control disorder” (San Francisco Chronicle, 8 November).

Also, the definition of kleptomania is very specific, so few of their volunteers actually fit the bill. True kleptomania resembles an obsessive-compulsive disorder, and is believed to be triggered by internal factors in the brain. In most cases of compulsive shoplifting, the behaviour is found to be attributable to external factors, such as stress.

Winona Ryder's trial has put shoplifting in the news recently, and support groups for compulsive stealers hope that such cases will raise the profile of their condition. Terrence Shulman of Cleptomaniacs and Shoplifters Anonymous said “We had Betty Ford for addiction and Magic Johnson for HIV, but no-one for shoplifting. We need someone to come forward. I'm trying to do it, but I'm not famous” (San Francisco Chronicle).

Koran has previously studied compulsive shoppers, and he suspects that local businesses are keeping a close eye on his research: “[The Stanford Shopping Center] didn't want me to do the shopping study. But they want me to do this study” (Mercury News, 3 October).