Why shoplifting

A person with kleptomania does not plan to steal items in advance. He or she often feels great remorse after the anxiety and lots of anxiety before and during. There is a great deal of tension before committing theft and a sense of relief after the theft is complete.

However, this relief is often tempered by guilt and regret. Like other mental health disorders, kleptomania may be accompanied by a substance use disorder as a person tries to relieve pre-theft anxiety or post-theft guilt. Although individuals with kleptomania may not initially be able to control their impulses to steal, they can make the choice to get professional help and change these automatic behaviors. A shoplifting addiction is similar to kleptomania.

A person with a shoplifting addiction will experience the following:. Behaviors like shoplifting can be as or even more addictive. As with shoplifting, employee theft isn't usually about the money or the items stolen; it's about getting even and entitlement—"they owe me!

So who's doing all this stealing and why? What, if anything, is being done other than employing more sophisticated security systems in stores and tougher consequences in workplaces and the courts? Why is this an important—and neglected—issue for clinicians and others in the mental health fields? There are primarily seven types of people who shoplift. These categories may also be used in a similar way to describe the breakdown of those who commit employee theft. It's a job to them, whether part-time or full-time.

Most pros are unlikely to benefit from therapy or C. These people need treatment for the underlying addiction s first, but may have picked up a theft addiction along the way. The impoverished— those who perceive that they need to steal to survive. After an arrest or firing from a job, there may be associated costs and fines; thus, it becomes even more tempting for people to justify stealing.

Thrill seekers— mostly young people who are drawn to various risk-taking behaviors and must be worked with to explore why this has developed and helped to locate healthier, more affirming, ways to "live on the edge. The absent-minded— mostly older people who are on medications, have cognitive disorders, and need to slow down their pace.

Accidents do happen, but tell that to the judge! We're in an age of near-zero tolerance for shoplifting. I've known people who've been prosecuted for sampling grapes! Kleptomaniacs— those who shoplift impulsively and steal to calm their anxiety. The objects shoplifted are usually discarded or hoarded, or aren't even needed.

Treatment is usually a combination of medication and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. The addictive-compulsive— those who may get a rush from stealing, but the stealing mainly is the "cry for help" that's itself the drug. Medication and therapy are often essential, as well as employing ongoing recovery principles and support.

Most people addicted to theft behaviors keep their acts a secret and don't connect with other recovering persons; thus, their shame remains intense and recycles. Everyone likes to get something for nothing—a bargain, a discount, a freebie, a "real steal. The top 10 emotional motivations for stealing are:. Stores, companies, the legal system, and many individuals look at any effort to explain why most people shoplift and steal as merely making excuses.

However, in my own life and in the lives of countless others, I've seen how readily people deny their problem and how difficult it is to stop. As with drug- and alcohol-related issues, treatment alternatives are needed, along with legal consequences. The roots of the problem—whether personal, familial, or societal—must be addressed. For parents raising children—from toddler to teen—when stealing occurs, two strategies should be avoided: "underkill" and "overkill.

Sweeping it under the rug or letting it slide sends the message that it isn't a big deal. If discipline, punishment, or consequences seem in order, it's important to teach why stealing isn't an appropriate behavior. Sure, greeting customers makes them feel welcome, but it also tells potential shoplifters that staff can see them. That verbal and visual acknowledgement can sometimes be enough to scare potential shoplifters into rethinking their actions. As we mentioned earlier, one of the easiest ways for shoplifters to get away with stealing is when other customers or duties distract store staff.

One of the most effective ways to prevent shoplifting is to make sure there are enough employees on the floor and that staff are spread out across departments or areas.

Common store layout options Image Credit: Pinterest. The layout of a store can affect how easy it may be for shoplifters to succeed. Some things to keep in mind include:. In order to take account of which items enter and exit clothing changing rooms, implement a store policy that limits the number of items a customer can take inside the room at a time. Have staff count out the number of items and hang or fold them so that each item is visible inside the dressing room.

When the customer is done, ask them to bring all of the items out of the change room and have staff count them quickly so that the same number of items are returned. Perhaps the most important tip is to educate any staff that interact with customers on loss prevention.

When it comes to stopping shoplifting, a little can go a long way. Customer service, store layout, and staff training all contribute to protecting your business by showing potential shoplifters that you are alert and watching. Most of all, it can help reduce the majority of shoplifting incidents — those that are committed by people who enter stores with no intention of stealing — and add greater security to your business. Michelle da Silva is a writer and editor.

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