Hi there,
I'm James Bullen, one of Sana's producers on ABC Radio National's mental health podcast All In The Mind. I'm filling in while she takes a well-deserved break!
This month we have a new series about criminal psychology and what drives people to the extremes of human behaviour.
Our first episode covers the topic of Munchausen syndrome by proxy (also known as factitious disorder imposed by another) where parents deliberately harm their children by faking or causing illness.
In the second episode, we delve into the motivations for arson. Along the way we do some myth busting too and tackle the persistent belief that the obsessive starting of fires is down to sexual urges. We can thank Freud for starting that one — and spoiler, a sexual fixation with fire isn't really a thing. More on that in the episode.
In the third instalment of Criminal Psychology, we focus on a debilitating and misunderstood disorder called kleptomania, which is the compulsive urge to steal.
During this episode, we hear the story of Lynn, who was diagnosed with kleptomania two years ago.
"Almost everywhere I go right now I have to steal something, which is really disabling for me," she says.
People with kleptomania repeatedly steal items, but they do it impulsively and find it very difficult to stop, says Sam Chamberlain, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Southampton.
According to Dr Chamberlain, the typical pattern of behaviour for someone with kleptomania is a sense of tension that builds up before the theft, followed by a feeling of gratification or release after they've done it.
Lynn says she feels like she's being pulled towards a particular object "like there's no way of not taking it." Her compulsion to steal is reflexive and difficult to suppress, like a sneeze or a yawn.
We cover the limited research into kleptomania, how it is diagnosed, and options for treatment in the episode as well as in an online story.
Lynn also shares some words of advice for people supporting someone with the condition — advice that could effectively apply to the hidden battles and barriers around mental health most of us face.
"It could be your loved one who's experiencing this without you knowing. So just to be open for talks, for conversations about difficult things and to show that you're non-judgemental … react kindly and help us."
This month, we also have stories from across the ABC on topics like getting past decision paralysis, the power of "slow looking" and treating excessive internet use.
Until next time,
James
P.S. If you have other topics you'd like to hear more about this year on All In The Mind, send us an email.
And if you — or someone you know — find any of the themes we touch on in this newsletter difficult, please reach out to services such as Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 or the Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
All In The Mind is an exploration of the mental: the mind, brain and behaviour. It airs on Sundays at 1pm and is repeated on Mondays at 11am and Fridays at 2.30am on Radio National. Listen for free on the ABC listen app.
You can find more mental-health-related content on ABC iview, and head to our dedicated page for articles.
