Official Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog
Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog. We started a previous blog in September 2005 but are publicizing this blog address on our websites soon and expect a more active forum.
The Shulman Center Blog is dedicated to the discussion of three main topics: compulsive shoplifting, compulsive employee theft, and compulsive shopping/spending.
This blog is primarily intended to assist in assessing and offering treatment alternatives for these growing problems; however, it is also an open forum for respectful debate and discussion of theory and of current or past events relevant to these topics. Personal experiences with this issues--either first or secondhand--are especially welcome here.
According to the National Association of Shoplifting Prevention, 1 out of 11 (25 Million) Americans shoplift and 90% of Americans have shoplifted at least once. The FBI calls employee theft "the fastest growing crime in America" and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that 75% of employees steal from the workplace and most do so repeatedly. Finally, a recent study out of Stanford University states that "compulsive shopping" disorder affects nearly 6% (17%) of Americans (men and women about equally).
Despite these pervasive problems, we have had little room for thoughtful discussion and insight that might help individuals, families, communities, and society at large. The Shulman Center Blog is an attempt to expand on this.
Welcome!
I am really fascinated to find out how common a problem this is and that there is such little help in this issue area.. I have legal guardianship of my 20 y/o daughter that has a laundry list of diagnosis's within the Mental Illness and Developmentally Disabled areas. We have resently become aware of her and a friend shoplifting where ever they go. Her so called friend is older and does not have the laundry list of illness's but says she has been diagnosed with "Bipolar with a shopping Disorder". I think it is more like "theft disorder", but as I am told "who am I to label". My daughter has always had a boundary problem and taken money from our home but never really went any further than that. She loves to give people things. I have also noticed her thefts have become broader and more frequent recently. I need help in order to help my daughter. I know She knows it is wrong but I don't think she comprehends the full extent of it being wrong. I am in a whirlwind of confusion as to how to help her (besides staying away from this person). Can you help me and show me the right direction. She is not capable of doing any part of this on her. HELP
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Thanks for your comment! Please contact me at terrenceshulman@theshulmancenter.com if I can be of further help.
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