It is neologism acting upon the Greek components klepto, related to kléptein, which implies the idea of removing or, in this more specific context, stealing, and -mania, which refers to an impulsivity, or behavior of a pathological order. Emerging in the mid-nineteenth century, as a fad to justify the specific theft observed in affluent individuals, however, is characterized by repeated practice, capable of affecting even the closest relationships. A person of low resources could also be classified as a kleptomaniac (denomination of the adjective in function of the suffix -maniac, as a variant for -mania); however, given his social status he tends to point out as a thief.

Appearing in the pages of the DSM-I, published in 1962, of the American Psychological Association, later its absence is noted in the DSM-II of 1968, and finally it is classified in the DSM-III of 1980 as a disorder related to impulse control, remaining as such in the DSM-IV of 2000, from where five essential points for diagnosis are highlighted, that propose (1) the sensation of having to resist taking things that do not represent any real value of use or need, as well as (2) a feeling of tension for carrying out the act, and (3) pleasure in carrying it out, a context in which (4) personal motives or delirium are ruled out, as well as (5) personality or procedural disorders.