Kleptomania Support Group
Kleptomania is an inability to resist impulses of stealing. A person with this disorder is compelled to steal things, generally things of little or no value, such as pens, decorative pins, or wall decorations. They are often unaware of performing the theft until some time later. If you are suffering from kleptomania, join the group and get support.
I am freaking out right now. I have been stealing from Wal Mart since November. It started out stealing things to give my kids a good Christmas and afterwards, I started getting caught up in it. I just got caught today. All I have been doing is crying. I feel horrible. I was told I would be getting a court date in the mail. My 17 year old was with me when I got caught and she knew I was doing it so they told her she was just as much to blame also. I feel so bad for putting my daughter through that. Everytime I would do it, I would tell her that I know what I was doing was wrong and told her to never do it. But I just kept stealing. It was hard for me to walk into WalMart and not take something. It was like a high and I knew it was becoming a problem. They had me on camera stealing since December. This will be my first offense. But I stole over 250.00 worth of stuff. I am deathly afraid to go to jail. I live in PA. I would also go to New York State and go to the Wal Mart up ther and steal. I was told today that not only am I getting charges brought up on me from PA Wal Mart but also New York state Wal Mart also. I feel like this HORRIBLE person. I knew I should have stopped long ago but didn't. Most of the stuff I stole was for my kids. Any advice would be helpful and any stories from first time offenders and what happened to them would be helpful also. How do you get over this guilt? it's overwhelming.
I've never even been in Walmart, but I hear they are tough with shoplifters. I also think it's ridiculous that they should blame your daughter for something that you did. It doesn't make sense to me. That's just my opinion.
I know you're feeling horrible about this - but it's not too late to get help and stop this addiction to impulsive stealing. If I were you, I'd seek someone out for help BEFORE you even have to go to Court so you can show them that you are trying to get help for this. That's the best you can do right now and hopefully you'll be granted some leniency.
I doubt very much that you'll go to jail but you'll be fined for much more than you've taken. Sometimes good people do unlawful things and to me shoplifting is very low on the list of bad things! I'm not judging you because I know how tough it is to break. But if I can, you can too.
Be strong and get some therapy now to show the Courts that you're trying to help yourself. Keep in touch.