The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft & Spending: Recent Comments

Comment on Official Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog

lisa — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:21:37 GMT

Hi. I just read your post. I completely understand and feel we are a lot alike. I was arrested 8 years ago and am soon to be again. They caught me but I fled. They got my license plate. I WANT to stop. It makes me feel so worthless as a person. My self-esteem has suffered and I feel guilty all the time. No one else really knows. Please email mail me. Maybe we can help each other. Lisa

Comment on Official Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog

Terrence Shulman — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:20:35 GMT

Thanks Cindy. I encourage you to contact us directly at terrenceshulman@theshulmancenter.com or 248-358-8508 to discuss options for help. The Shulman Center

Comment on Official Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog

Cindy — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:13:33 GMT

I can relate to so much that everyone is saying, and especially Mr. Shulman. I am a compulsive shoplifter too. I have been caught 3 times. Today, the police called me and said that a store has surveillance of me in there 3 different times shoplifting items. They are forwarding this to the county attorney and I will receive a court notice in the mail. I am not a bad person, but I am really SICK! I mean... sick in the head for doing this. I am going to start seeing a counselor in 3 weeks (that is the earliest that I could get in). I am so desperate. I purchased Mr. Shulman's books (something for free, hand that bites". Has anybody else went through this before? I am still on probation (1 violation - and now will be 2nd). No felony's - but will have 3 GM's. I have been shoplifting for about 2 years. I can go in stores without shoplifting, but it is very hard. The urge is so strong, and the high is so great afterwards... such a sense of relief when you walk out the doors and nobody stopped you at the door, or that the beepers didn't go off. It is obvious that I am not a "pro" at shoplifting and that is pretty obvious. Please help me, and don't slam me... I need help.

Comment on Welcome to The Shulman Center for Theft Addictions and Disorders New Web Log!

Leslie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:55:21 GMT

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

Comment on Official Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog

Donna — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:46:54 GMT

Hello, my name is Donna. I am a compulsvive shoplifter and I need help.I hope I can find some support here.

Comment on Official Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog

Anne — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 03:42:43 GMT

I am a functioning adult who just embarked on a very successful career. I started shoplifting soon after I began working. I recently got caught (and I knew I would be, eventually) and the police were involved. I was fined, but not charged (thank goodness). I will never shoplift again--this scared me straight. I am ashamed and embarrassed and want to close the chapter in this short shoplifting blitz that I have been living through for the past 6 months. I think the reason is that I am quite cheap (I like to save my $$) and felt the pressure of wanting to buy a house and feeling guilty for spending money. I also attribute my flaw to deep rooted stress. I realize my mistake and know I will be strong to no longer commit this crime. My real concern now (since I am slightly paranoid--yes, I am a "worry wart") is that the store that took my picture (and I am banned from this chain) -- will they send it out to OTHER stores in the mall and BACKTRACK and lay more charges? Have a file against me?? I ask because I stole many small items from this mall throughout the past months. I don't want to be charged/jail/etc. I have a bright future and I really do not want to screw that up. I am sorry for my crime, and I just want it all to go away. Should I be paranoid? please help, thank you.

Comment on Compulsive Shopping and Spending Disorders: The Next Frontier of Addiction Treatment!

Alana Cohen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:51:10 GMT

I have also searched high and low for some kind of message/discussion board or on-line forum and can;t find one. I guess it's a subject that people are too ashamed to talk about. I am very shamed but have reached a point where I read help and a support group to stop this insidious behavior

Comment on Welcome to The Shulman Center for Theft Addictions and Disorders New Web Log!

Alana Cohen — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:43:32 GMT

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

Comment on Official Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog

judi selik — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:47:11 GMT

I need help. I have a severe shopping addiction and want help. I have been attending da (debtors anoymous) meetings for many years with no luck. I am 58 years old and want to stop this awful craving I have for shopping. Your response would be appreciated. judi

Comment on Official Welcome to The Shulman Center Blog

Nancy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:39:53 GMT

My son stole a car at age 17, a felony in our state. Now he has broken his probation twice by attempted theft, so may be headed for prison. I wish I'd found this website sooner, but my son also doesn't seem to be open to any counseling or really think that he has a problem, perhaps because so many people steal. I carefully taught my son to pay for stuff he was buying and not to spend money he didn't have, but later he was taught by peers that it is cool to steal and do other addictive behaviors. His girlfriend has to have a bank account he can't get to for keeping their money, and she gives him cash when he needs it. But she also spends money on unnecessary stuff and they bought leather couches on credit. It doesn't help that businesses offer credit to anyone and cell phone companies give phones to anyone and then these young people run up huge cell phone bills, etc. they could never pay for. Thanks for listening.