Compulsive shoplifting - I would like to stop, please help

find a hobby, start something knew.... something to take your mind off everything. Failing that, talk to a proffessional, i'm sure they'll be able to help you before its too late.

Reply 2

jovialtom

find a hobby, start something knew.... something to take your mind off everything. Failing that, talk to a proffessional, i'm sure they'll be able to help you before its too late.

I think I might go see a councellor.

I already am sporty :p:

Today I wrote a note to myself saying that I would NEVER shoplift again and I made myself sign it.

Problem is, I also did this when I was 17... ... ...

Reply 3

Anonymous

When I was 13 I was diagnosed with several anxiety disorders and after my parents divorce the way I dealt with it was quite weird.

I turned to shoplifting.

Caught when I was 17, went to baby jail for a week.

Never started again, until recently, just before Christmas 2005. I'm now in my early 20s, broke and depressed because something bad has happened in my life and now I'm dealing with it the wrong way again.

Yesterday I stole some batteries, today I stole some food I didn't want and now I am caught on cameras, the security guards actually chased me out of the centre today after several alarms went off :eek:

So yeah, even though I haven't been caught yet I would really like to STOP doing this as it is making me sad :frown:

Please help me :redface:

Theres not much really people here can say that will help you.
As this is not something which can be solved through simple advice.
Its most likely you shoplift because it gives you that sense of being incontrol and feeling good about it all at the end (I could be wrong of course).
Your best bets for getting over this is through counselling really and perhaps you could consider hypnosis, IF the counselling doesn't work.
Might also be handy to write down whats going through your mind when you get the urge to shoplift.

Reply 4

Ferrus

19

You really need professional help. Klyptomania is something that will be beyond the experiences of most members he (indeed a large proportion will be some what cynical), so this is beyond are remit.

However on the general advice, trying to distract yourself is probably the best optionL though I realise it's not always easy.

Reply 5

if you want to stop then stop.... don't make up excuses to try and convince yourself that its not your fault and that you have a 'disease' or something, because its not true... Picture the two different roads down which your life can lead...

Reply 6

ferrus

You really need professional help. Klyptomania is something that will be beyond the experiences of most members he (indeed a large proportion will be some what cynical), so this is beyond are remit.

However on the general advice, trying to distract yourself is probably the best optionL though I realise it's not always easy.

Part of the reason why I did this was because I had failed a subject at uni, parents were giving me a hard time and I lost my job.

I'm looking for a new job so this is keeping me occupied, I'm just poor right now and have to rely on the government which I hate.

I just wanted to be like everyone else, but atm I can't afford to. I hope I get this job I want.

Reply 7

Part of the reason why I did this was because I had failed a subject at uni, parents were giving me a hard time and I lost my job.

I'm looking for a new job so this is keeping me occupied, I'm just poor right now and have to rely on the government which I hate.

I just wanted to be like everyone else, but atm I can't afford to. I hope I get this job I want.
Reply With Quote

excuses, excuses, excuses.... come on listen to yourself, its pathetic! get a grip on life... sort yourself out.

Reply 8

Anonymous

Part of the reason why I did this was because I had failed a subject at uni, parents were giving me a hard time and I lost my job.

I'm looking for a new job so this is keeping me occupied, I'm just poor right now and have to rely on the government which I hate.

I just wanted to be like everyone else, but atm I can't afford to. I hope I get this job I want.

Like i say, next time you get the urge to do it, write down whats going through your mind at the time, and any thoughts your getting as to suggest why you want to do it.
This will come very handy if you decide to get counselling

--------------

jovialtom

excuses, excuses, excuses.... come on listen to yourself, its pathetic! get a grip on life... sort yourself out.

Its true sometimes people do pretend they gota problem when they shoplift to make people feel sorry for them.
But you dont know this person in question, so how can you be so judgmental so fast??? as there is such a condition which causes people to shoplift so often.

Reply 9

MNBStyle

Like i say, next time you get the urge to do it, write down whats going through your mind at the time, and any thoughts your getting as to suggest why you want to do it.
This will come very handy if you decide to get counselling

Thanks

I will do that :smile:

Mostly it's pure 'I need this, but can't afford it' mentality, but I'm sure I could if you know what I mean, if I saved up.

BESIDES, I'm gonna be graduating this year from a good degree and I so don't want to stuff up my chances of getting a great job if I get caught stealing!! :eek:

Would pretty much suck arse like nothing else I have ever experienced :cool:

Reply 10

I said that becuase the guy sounds like he needs a reality check... a good kick up the arse! Just trying to help!

Reply 11

Anonymous

Thanks

I will do that :smile:

Mostly it's pure 'I need this, but can't afford it' mentality, but I'm sure I could if you know what I mean, if I saved up.

BESIDES, I'm gonna be graduating this year from a good degree and I so don't want to stuff up my chances of getting a great job if I get caught stealing!! :eek:

Would pretty much suck arse like nothing else I have ever experienced :cool:

So basically your urges about how good you would feel for having this item, overides the guilt you would feel for stealing it????
that makes perfect sense for someone who has experienced alot of sadness in there life.
But its good to see your so prepared to get this problem sorted, thats the first important step.

Reply 12

jovialtom

I said that becuase the guy sounds like he needs a reality check... a good kick up the arse! Just trying to help!

Girl

Albeit a tomboy one, but still a girl :smile:

Ok that's enough information, not giving out any more!! Lol.

Reply 13

a girl?! not really following you.... guys can say the phrase 'reality check' too you know :P

Reply 14

Oh by the way Anon, feel free to PM me anytime if you need more advice or anything, i promise to keep your real identity totally secret

Reply 15

MNBStyle

So basically your urges about how good you would feel for having this item, overides the guilt you would feel for stealing it????
that makes perfect sense for someone who has experienced alot of sadness in there life.
But its good to see your so prepared to get this problem sorted, thats the first important step.

Well believe it or not, I do have SOME morals in terms of shoplifting, ie. I would never steal from a small store/business, as I can empathise with the people working there.

I usually approach rich department stores that generally rip people off anyway.

Or did. I'm quitting, again, because I wrote myself a note today saying thou shalt not steal! :smile:

To myself.

MMB... dude - thanks, but I really don't want anyone on here finding out who I am! Good job I'm going to seek councelling soon :cool:

Reply 16

Anonymous

Well believe it or not, I do have SOME morals in terms of shoplifting, ie. I would never steal from a small store/business, as I can empathise with the people working there.

I usually approach rich department stores that generally rip people off anyway.

Or did. I'm quitting, again, because I wrote myself a note today saying thou shalt not steal! :smile:

To myself.

MMB... dude - thanks, but I really don't want anyone on here finding out who I am! Good job I'm going to seek councelling soon :cool:

Well i do understand alot of people see it as
"What harm can it do stealing from this multi million pound company, they got enough money anyway"
but at the end of the day its still wrong and everything.
As for your note you written i suggest you also write down why you should quit.
Therefore if you did get the urge you got the note there to remind you why your quitting.

So basically writing with it, "I shall not steal because... it could effect me getting into Uni etc"

Reply 17

MNBStyle

Well i do understand alot of people see it as
"What harm can it do stealing from this multi million pound company, they got enough money anyway"
but at the end of the day its still wrong and everything.
As for your note you written i suggest you also write down why you should quit.
Therefore if you did get the urge you got the note there to remind you why your quitting.

So basically writing with it, "I shall not steal because... it could effect me getting into Uni etc"

Good point! Because I just signed it, I didn't say WHY I would stop stealing or anything. Well I did kinda, but it was more like 'um, such and such shopping centre have you on film...now... :rolleyes:

'

But yes this is a good point, perhaps I should write a formal document.

Reply 18