In 1995 exactly this combination of disorders has been discribed in a professional journal. The common ground of these deseases is an impulse control disorder. In general you can talk about an excessive, not deliberately controlable need. Experts assume, that there is a collective biological component, that is not yet located. This could be an Affective Disorder (mood problems) or for example a predisposition for an Hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD with and without hyperactivity), where you can often find these epiphenomenons.

Professional literature only lately refers more often to comorbidity of Cleptomania, eating disorders and other excessive behavioural problems (Sex-addiction, compulsive buying, etc.). Therapists mostly assume, that an underlying Personality Disorder (p.e. emotional instable Personality) could be the cause. This is justified by the fact, that often other deseases or disorders of impuls control are found (p.e. aggressiveness, trichotillomania, obsessive-compulsive disorder) and medication with SSRIs (= Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can help.