Welcome to The Shulman Center for Theft Addictions and Disorders New Web Log!
Thank you for joining us at the Shulman Center. Visit often for comments, thoughts and ideas about theft addictions and disorders.
The Shulman Center Web Log
The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft & Spending: Welcome to The Shulman Center for Theft Addictions and Disorders New Web Log!
I do not have a criminal history or received a speeding ticket even once, but I was caught shop lifting today for the first time. It was indeed a very embarassing and painful experience, in fact I did feel a sense of relief that this would curb my urge to do it again. Fortuanately for me no charges were pressed against me as it was my first time and I was spared the shame and disgrace it would inflict upon me and my family.I need help to stop this before it gets out of control. This blog is very inspiring as I can identify with the several disorders of obsessive compulsive behaviour. Please help.
Reply to this
I do not have a criminal record. I am a very good mother and daughter. Ever since I lost my job 4 years ago, I have been shoplifting. They are usually small items, drugstores, toothpaste, even food. I was recently caught in TJ Maxx with about $40 worth of socks and underwear and a bra. I am so ashamed. Being arrested was the most painful humiliating experience. I am a single mom of 3. I want to stop but don;t know who to talk too.I live in NYC and there are no organizations like yours. Maybe you can direct me to one here. I need and want help. I hate myself because I believe that it has gotten out of control. when i worked i didn;t have to time.because I am jobless, when the kids are in school i wander aimlessly in stores. I have tried to stay away from stores except to buy food when we need it. i never realized that this problem is as big as it is for me until i read your website and i am so worried for my children. they really need me and i need to be cured. this is the first time that I have expressed myself in any form about this. i am living a big fat lie. i have had some life changing setbacks in my life. my husband left me for someone else which left me financially devastated to say the least. I lost my job and have had no luck finding a job. I also had a hysterectomy recently and I think the hormone imbalance has made me very depressed and angry. i am loathe to look for an excuse for this completely unacceptable behavior but i just don;t have the answer when i ask myself why? i can't even afford a therapist. i do not have health insurance. and what kind of therapist is trained to cure me of this terrible disease? i need help and can;t keep living this lie. please email me and please give me some direction.
-Ashamed and in so much Pain
Reply to this
Sara,
I understand very well how it feels to view one's self as moral; I too have never even had a speeding ticket.
You are very fortunate that no charges were filed against you. You mention that, "I was caught shoplifting today for the first time", and I imagine this comment suggests that this was not your first time shoplifting, rather, it was your first time being caught.
I know you were spared tremendous embarassment with your family, but I imagine you feel shame (it is an awful experience-I know) and I know you are afraid that 'it will get out of control', and based upon what I know it likely will, without intervention. I do hope the incident of being caught does help you and serve as a deterrant.
I have been caught shoplifting twice, and both occurred within 4 months of one another. The first time the judge provided me a wonderful opportunity to redeem myself without my professional licence being damaged, yet one month later I did it again! Now I am facing losing my RN licence (I have been a nurse for over 20 years) and going to jail. I feel such self-loathing that I seriously consider suicide. I am so afraid I may shoplift again.
Without my ability to practice nursing I feel life has little to offer.
I wish I could offer you some words of wisdom, however, I have none. If I did my life would not be spiraling downward so rapidly.
I am going to purchase Mr. Shulman's book and read it. I feel so very desperate and I thought that joining this blog may help keep me alive to face my court date next month.
I wish you strength and I do hope you can overcome this dreadful behavior.
Leslie
Reply to this