Gender seems to play a role in the development of kleptomania since women are more likely to be affected than men. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), two-thirds of people with kleptomania in clinical trials have been women. This gender difference may be complicated by additional factors, such as differences in socially approved behavior (women may be more likely to seek help for their behavior than men) and misdiagnosis (men may be more likely to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder rather than kleptomania).

It is difficult to know which other factors may increase a person's risk of developing the disorder since the causes of kleptomania are not fully understood. For example, the disorder may first appear at any time in a person’s life – in childhood, adolescence or adulthood (although rarely in old age). However, studies have indicated that early onset, beginning in the teen years, may be more typical. It is unknown whether family history is related to kleptomania.

Anxiety, guilt and depression are often found in people with kleptomania. Depressive episodes may occur prior to the act of stealing and stress or anxiety may act as a trigger for episodes. In general, people with kleptomania can have problems with impulsive or compulsive behavior, such as impulse stealing or compulsive buying. 

The following disorders may coexist in a person with kleptomania:

• Major depression. Severe depression that is long-lasting and disabling.
  

  

• Dysthymic depression. Mild, chronic depression, with symptoms that last at least two years.
  
  
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Chronic, excessive worry or fear that occurs without any known cause.
  
  
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Patterns of recurrent thoughts or feelings, followed by behaviors a person feels compelled to perform.
  
  
• Bulimia nervosa. Patterns of eating binges followed by efforts to purge food from the body to avoid weight gain. Medications such as laxatives or behaviors such as vomiting may be used to accomplish this.
  
  
• Substance abuse. Chronic use of a substance that alters mood or behavior and causes disruption in a person’s life.