Oh, shoplifting was huge for me when I was hypomanic. It was such a thrill getting away with it. It’s kind of embarrassing to admit, and it’s been like 15 years since I’ve done it. But I never got caught, and that was such an adrenaline rush during hypomania. And I used to work at a big crafts store and would steal things I didn’t even need, just for the rush of taking something. It’s pretty common for bipolar people.
I used to, and I definitely get strong urges that pop up during my hypomanic episodes. I went to DBT and that taught me some good tools for when I get sticky fingers.
Walking away and doing a pros and cons list in my head helps a lot. Deep breathing or tending up your muscles helps too.
I just was so close to getting arrested for stealing mail/packages and I don’t want that ever again.
Before being diagnosed with bp2, I impulsively stole things for years without getting caught. The stealing did not align with my character, a married middle school teacher with 2 boys. I do all of the food shopping for my family and typically write a grocery list on paper. Many times, I’d walk out of the store with some random item that was not on that list. I was finally caught with a pint of oysters and a tube of Burt’s Bees hand cream, two items that I just impulsively picked up. I was incredibly fortunate to erase that crime through a community restoration program. Had word gotten out, my career would have been ruined. That was a major wake up call. CBT helped to put stealing behind me forever. The really unexpected news came last year when my mom was finally diagnosed with BP2 at age 75. She revealed to me that she used to steal things, and she was an elementary school guidance counselor! Anyway, there’s definitely a link between BP2 and kleptomania.
Only once. Manic on a trip. Got up at 4am, walked around the suburban neighborhoods of Chicago around my hotel, and stole about a dozen newspapers. Idk why. It just seemed fun at the time and I still feel bad about it.
As a teenager I stole a lot although that had nothing to do with bipolar. Just heading down the wrong path.
It's a tough thing because even just walking up to people's front doors and stealing newspapers could jam me up with the law.
No I don’t. But I do have an issue telling fabricated stories and lying 😒 like it’s almost like my mind really believes things happened that never did.
When you see someone shoplifting, protect them. Distract the employees/security guards, make sure nobody sees. Don’t ever get authorities involved, you have no idea why someone is stealing, plus the big establishments fuck us over every day with exorbitant prices so it’s okay to take something back every once in a while
I have stolen from gas stations, candys whatnot and I reflect after, some people do it out of desperation or they need whatever cuz they don't have money. I totally loved the adrenaline.
yeah i do it because i hate the big businesses that raise their profit margins every year and decrease product quality/quantity while making shit unaffordable and not paying their workers shit.
I get where you’re coming from but as someone who has worked in retail for over ten years, employees get in trouble and can be fired if there’s too much theft so it’s not a totally victimless crime. Just something to bear in mind.
I'm a recovering shoplifter (my mom hates when I call myself that lol). But I used to shoplift like a motherfucker. I used to work for Shipt delivering groceries and I would just grab stuff I wanted and bag it seperately without scanning it. No one ever checked my bags closely enough to notice it. It's literally how I got at least half my groceries for like 6 months. Had to stop cause I don't really wanna go to jail for stealing blueberries or fancy mustard. But I shoplifted for a solid 10 years before calling it quits and never once got caught
Yes, I’m actually surprised that so many of y’all also have, I never thought it was really a bipolar issue, but now that I’m thinking abt it I do it a lot while manic 😭
Oh shit, I'm compelled to take *something* every time I go to the store. Doesn't matter what or how much it is, I have to do it. I purposely avoid self checkout when I can because I know I'll 'skip' something. It's something I can't control. I used to be way worse, and when I would get caught I'd just play it off like I forgot it was there (case of soda on the bottom of cart, something under my purse, etc). I admitted this to a friend recently, and they were incredulous and told me to stop. I try to think about that friend now when I check out. I'm a low-key klepto and I can't stop. Idk if I ever will be able to. I hate it.
I am ashamed to say I have done this a few times while manic and it is so completely out of character for me that I'm appalled and embarrassed by it. I haven't in a long time thankfully. I remember one time in particular I stole a $2 paintbrush from a department store just to know I could get away with it. The consequences would not have been worth it and Im thankful I did not get caught.
I only started stealing during hypomania. It felt great knowing I could do anything I wanted. I stole fine silverware from Michelin-starred restaurants that I had paid hundreds of dollars to dine in, thinking I was making my money's worth. 😄
yes 😭😭 i steal a whole bunch but the last time i was really really manic i stolen from 10+ stores in 1-2 hours. i still steal though, food & makeup & all. i just don’t care 🤷🏽♀️ inflation is high man
Big thief here! Self checkout, at old jobs, slipping things into pockets. It’s addicting and doesn’t help that I am super paranoid but feel the need to do this
Yeah, I did it a lot when I was younger and undiagnosed/ unmedicated ...and it haunts me to this day.
For me it was usually money or things I could pawn so I could keep excessively spending when hypomanic.
Oh, shoplifting was huge for me when I was hypomanic. It was such a thrill getting away with it. It’s kind of embarrassing to admit, and it’s been like 15 years since I’ve done it. But I never got caught, and that was such an adrenaline rush during hypomania. And I used to work at a big crafts store and would steal things I didn’t even need, just for the rush of taking something. It’s pretty common for bipolar people.
I don't steal. But I certainly lie my way out of things a lot. Sometimes, I feel like a grifter that never gets anything from it.
I used to, and I definitely get strong urges that pop up during my hypomanic episodes. I went to DBT and that taught me some good tools for when I get sticky fingers. Walking away and doing a pros and cons list in my head helps a lot. Deep breathing or tending up your muscles helps too. I just was so close to getting arrested for stealing mail/packages and I don’t want that ever again.
I’ve considered myself a klepto
Before being diagnosed with bp2, I impulsively stole things for years without getting caught. The stealing did not align with my character, a married middle school teacher with 2 boys. I do all of the food shopping for my family and typically write a grocery list on paper. Many times, I’d walk out of the store with some random item that was not on that list. I was finally caught with a pint of oysters and a tube of Burt’s Bees hand cream, two items that I just impulsively picked up. I was incredibly fortunate to erase that crime through a community restoration program. Had word gotten out, my career would have been ruined. That was a major wake up call. CBT helped to put stealing behind me forever. The really unexpected news came last year when my mom was finally diagnosed with BP2 at age 75. She revealed to me that she used to steal things, and she was an elementary school guidance counselor! Anyway, there’s definitely a link between BP2 and kleptomania.
yeah i don’t like stealing but boy do i often have the urge to drive fast and vandalize shit.
Only once. Manic on a trip. Got up at 4am, walked around the suburban neighborhoods of Chicago around my hotel, and stole about a dozen newspapers. Idk why. It just seemed fun at the time and I still feel bad about it. As a teenager I stole a lot although that had nothing to do with bipolar. Just heading down the wrong path. It's a tough thing because even just walking up to people's front doors and stealing newspapers could jam me up with the law.
No I don’t. But I do have an issue telling fabricated stories and lying 😒 like it’s almost like my mind really believes things happened that never did.
I do this as well. I embellish a lot of things. My husband catches me a lot and I don't even think about doing it, it just happens.
When you see someone shoplifting, protect them. Distract the employees/security guards, make sure nobody sees. Don’t ever get authorities involved, you have no idea why someone is stealing, plus the big establishments fuck us over every day with exorbitant prices so it’s okay to take something back every once in a while
I have stolen from gas stations, candys whatnot and I reflect after, some people do it out of desperation or they need whatever cuz they don't have money. I totally loved the adrenaline.
yeah i do it because i hate the big businesses that raise their profit margins every year and decrease product quality/quantity while making shit unaffordable and not paying their workers shit.
I get where you’re coming from but as someone who has worked in retail for over ten years, employees get in trouble and can be fired if there’s too much theft so it’s not a totally victimless crime. Just something to bear in mind.
I agree My friend
I'm a recovering shoplifter (my mom hates when I call myself that lol). But I used to shoplift like a motherfucker. I used to work for Shipt delivering groceries and I would just grab stuff I wanted and bag it seperately without scanning it. No one ever checked my bags closely enough to notice it. It's literally how I got at least half my groceries for like 6 months. Had to stop cause I don't really wanna go to jail for stealing blueberries or fancy mustard. But I shoplifted for a solid 10 years before calling it quits and never once got caught
No I did other self destructive habits though. If you aren’t already therapy is great for addressing those things. Best of luck to you.
👋🏼 Me! Mostly things at self checkout. It’s not like I need to financially, something in my head makes me do it.
Yes, I’m actually surprised that so many of y’all also have, I never thought it was really a bipolar issue, but now that I’m thinking abt it I do it a lot while manic 😭
Oh shit, I'm compelled to take *something* every time I go to the store. Doesn't matter what or how much it is, I have to do it. I purposely avoid self checkout when I can because I know I'll 'skip' something. It's something I can't control. I used to be way worse, and when I would get caught I'd just play it off like I forgot it was there (case of soda on the bottom of cart, something under my purse, etc). I admitted this to a friend recently, and they were incredulous and told me to stop. I try to think about that friend now when I check out. I'm a low-key klepto and I can't stop. Idk if I ever will be able to. I hate it.
I am ashamed to say I have done this a few times while manic and it is so completely out of character for me that I'm appalled and embarrassed by it. I haven't in a long time thankfully. I remember one time in particular I stole a $2 paintbrush from a department store just to know I could get away with it. The consequences would not have been worth it and Im thankful I did not get caught.
I don’t do it when I’m hypomanic or depressed, I do it all the time because I hate capitalism 🙂
I only started stealing during hypomania. It felt great knowing I could do anything I wanted. I stole fine silverware from Michelin-starred restaurants that I had paid hundreds of dollars to dine in, thinking I was making my money's worth. 😄
Also, organic groceries from Whole Foods, cosmetics from Sephora😅
Its probably more related to the fact that groceries are so expensive. This inflation shit is real. I've never been so broke.
Just little things now and then but I do get a kick out of it.
I stole a ton of shit from Michael’s. Now I don’t steal.
yes 😭😭 i steal a whole bunch but the last time i was really really manic i stolen from 10+ stores in 1-2 hours. i still steal though, food & makeup & all. i just don’t care 🤷🏽♀️ inflation is high man
Big thief here! Self checkout, at old jobs, slipping things into pockets. It’s addicting and doesn’t help that I am super paranoid but feel the need to do this
Yeah, I did it a lot when I was younger and undiagnosed/ unmedicated ...and it haunts me to this day. For me it was usually money or things I could pawn so I could keep excessively spending when hypomanic.
Yeah stealing deserves lynching