What mental disorder is characterized by an irresistible urge to steal?

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Kleptomania is the mental disorder that specifically involves an irresistible urge to steal, typically items that are not needed for personal use or monetary value. Individuals with kleptomania experience a compulsion to take things, often accompanied by feelings of tension before the theft and relief or gratification afterward. This condition is recognized in psychological literature and diagnostic manuals such as the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), emphasizing its classification as a specific impulse control disorder rather than a general or other type of behavioral issue.

In contrast, the other choices mention related but distinct concepts. For instance, "Compulsive Theft Disorder" is not an officially recognized term in clinical literature, and thus does not accurately define the specific condition known as kleptomania. "Shopping Addiction" refers more broadly to an obsession with shopping and buying, which may not specifically involve stealing. Lastly, while kleptomania falls under the umbrella of impulse control disorders, the term "Impulse Control Disorder" is too vague and encompasses a range of different disorders beyond just the compulsion to steal. Hence, the precise identification of kleptomania is what makes it the correct answer.

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