Is it normal to suddenly shoplift after taking antidepressants?

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I grew up knowing stealing is wrong. Never stole or anything. Im now in my mid 30s and have been taking anti depressants for a few years. About 6 months into taking these, i began to think about shoplifting. Then i began doing it.
I still mentally know its wrong, but that sense if dread/ conscience just is not there. Its just like " meh, ill take this lipstick or this purse". Idk if the meds are to blame or if im just turning into a thief late in life. I want to stop but i just keep doing it. It just seems like no big deal
I have not started other vices like cheating on my boyfriend or doing drugs, its just the stealing( only from stores not from people) and i just feel less careful in general...im lazier sloppier and more complacent.
Please comment.

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Based on 17 votes (2 yes)

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Comments ( 47 )

KnobOnMySlob

6 years ago

Time for some educated answers. So antidepressants effect your serotonin and dopamine levels (basically your emotions and the brains ability to process it; incredibly more then that but Google for yourself). High adrenaline activities increase those levels creating that "high" feeling; stealing is an activity as such. Different medications will target different chemical receptors in the brain which are all responsible for different things. Some for drive to live, emotional regulation amongst other things; each different chemical in the medication will interact with each receptor differently and thus give people different side effect. Hense why they have a general list of side effects as they interact with the same receptors based on the chemical however each person's receptor sensitivity will vary.

If you want more real answers, let me know :). Done lots of research of this kinda stuff

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  6 years ago
  
  Tbh I never believed kleptomania was real until I became one myself.
  
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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  6 years ago
  
  Hi yes I do! I'm not happy with being this way.
  
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[Old Memory]

6 years ago

You should let your prescribing doctor know. Your dose may be too high as you’ve lost a normal inhibition(s). I just saw a biography of this actress named Winona Ryder (sp?), same thing happened to her and she could afford whatever she wanted.
I’m sure you know that now that you aren’t a kid you’ll likely go to jail and have a record if you get caught. Getting caught is just a matter of time.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  6 years ago
  
  Thanks. I hadn't considered that. This post isn't a joke thanks for helpful response.
  
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- e51pegasi
  
  6 years ago
  
  Winona Ryder is very sexy, anyway....
  
  She ended up on probation & doing community service iirc.
  
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  - RoseIsabella
    
    6 years ago
    
    ... and Winona Ryder is only just now making a comeback on the show Stranger Things. I think she's a damn good actor, and she probably has plenty of personal problems, but she wasn't getting a lot of acting jobs for a long time there. It's good to see her make a comeback!
    
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  - [Old Memory]
    
    6 years ago
    
    Yes, the bio had some of the trial and her attorney said it was the antidepressants that caused it. She got off but was facing 5 years in prison for felony theft.
    
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    - Algum
      
      6 years ago
      
      You don't do hard time for shoplifting unless you're either a repeat offender or you've stolen more valuable merchandise, right?
      
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      - [Old Memory]
        
        6 years ago
        
        Felony theft is for stuff worth over $5,000 and that’s prison, not jail. I’d imagine a judge can send you to the county jail for up to a year depending what you stole or your history. Adults regularly go to jail for 60 or 90 days for stealing stuff unless they plea out and pay restitution and hefty fines and do community service. You get a record either way and you’ll be considered a thief the rest of your life.
        
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RoseIsabella

6 years ago

I've been taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications for years, and I've never stolen anything. I hope you get caught!

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  6 years ago
  
  Well meds affect everyone differently you know.
  
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  - RoseIsabella
    
    6 years ago
    
    So tell your medical doctor and your therapist. Just because you have the "urge" to do something doesn't mean you have to do that thing!
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      6 years ago
      
      Ive been ashamed to say it. I never would have believed that i would end up a shoplifter. Its almost like, not even a compulsion...an afterthought. I just do it, and then after its like " oh i stole stuff thats weird".
      
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      - RoseIsabella
        
        6 years ago
        
        Well, if it's any consolation your doctor probably won't turn your ass in for stealing. If you're really that embarrassed start off by telling your doctor that you are having strong urges to shoplift that are almost impossible to resist. Then if your doctor seems to not be especially concerned you can tell him or her, "well, ya see, doc, I've kinda been shoplifting, and it's become a problem".
        
        Seriously, tell your doctor!☺
        
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        Anonymous Post Author
        
        6 years ago
        
        I think that will work.
        
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Anonymous Post Author

6 years ago

Update: guys you mostly had good answers, I'm trying to quit stealing.bi only stole 2 lipsticks this week.Oh and some candy. I'm going to church today to ask God to help me stop stealing stuff.
I know it sounds weird but I never understood why people steal unless they have to...until it happened to me.

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e51pegasi

6 years ago

I've seen & dealt with a few shoplifters in the past & with the exception of people stealing to feed a habit they all tell me the same thing. They are very remorseful (& almost always offer to pay for the goods), extremely humiliated & very angry with themselves for their stupidity.
They also nearly always plead with you not to phone the police as they may lose their job, blah blah.

Men & women, young or old. Dressed impeccably or scruffily. Rich or poor.

What I could never understand is why they did it. Especially since 95% of them had plenty of cash notes on their person.

Retailers when dealing with any shoplifter now (except kids) will phone the police & will press charges if you get caught.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  6 years ago
  
  Not necessarily in fact many retail stores have a policy against it. I worked in a store where they had no security and largely ignored it.
  That only made me want to steal more stuff.
  Many stores won't even bother unless you steal a shit ton of stuff.
  
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- Algum
  
  6 years ago
  
  Shoplifters who get away from the store without being seen would still eventually have the police come after them when the store staff do inventory, find out something's missing, and then seek through the video surveillances to see if they can match a face and a snatching to where the item is missing, and then check the outside surveillance to get the license plate number that the shoplifter got into, right?
  
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  - Anonymous Post Author
    
    6 years ago
    
    No offense but its not like that. Stuff is stolen be every day at stores...nobody cares too much unless its big ticket items like gold, TV, electronics etc
    
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    - RoseIsabella
      
      6 years ago
      
      Excuses excuses.
      
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  - Anonymous Post Author
    
    6 years ago
    
    Hahaha nope. Especially not for a lipstick or pack of gum. Maybe if you steal a whole rack of gold. Its jot like on Miami Vice.
    
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  - e51pegasi
    
    6 years ago
    
    Most shops these days have cctv and rely on it for convenience & concrete evidence when taking cases to court, the camera never lies. Here in the UK in urban areas there are literally cctv cameras everywhere which makes crime detection far easier & is a deterrent for some.
    
    In the case of thefts where there is a threat of violence they are essential. Just let them go with the stock & they will get picked up later. I dont want to be maimed or killed for the price of 12 cans of beer & the store owner certainly doesn't.
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      6 years ago
      
      Most times it wouldn't show up on camera. I don't stand there, look around obviously and above large items in my coat.
      I steal small stuff like pills or lipstick, pick it up, put in the cart, walk around and pay for other items while hiding one or two. Camera would likely never even see as Im moving around the store.
      I'm klepto not dumb :)
      
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    - Algum
      
      6 years ago
      
      Would they send the police after you for stealing only $10 worth of stuff?
      
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      - Anonymous Post Author
        
        6 years ago
        
        I can tell you from experience, no. A woman regularly steals multiple bottles of Robitussin where I work and they just don't care enough to do anything. Store manager asked to look in her bag, she gave him the finger, no cops were called.
        
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      - e51pegasi
        
        6 years ago
        
        Yes, if it's petty theft it is dealt with by the police in the way of a fine. These cases are usually people with substance misuse issues, lifting to order. They would just clog the courts & the probation services up otherwise.
        
        If they have plenty of form for it or they are staff, it's off to court. The maddest example I can recall is a woman who worked for a company (I also worked for them) for over 15 years get caught stealing a £10 ($12) gift voucher from her own till!
        
        A three figure fine, a theft conviction on her shiny new criminal record & no job reference. And of course no job. She well & truly fucked herself, she needed that job for living expenses as her hubby's job wasn't a massive earner.
        
        All for the cost of a takeaway pizza & a bottle of coke.
        
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        Algum
        
        6 years ago
        
        I didn't think you would go to jail over $10 or $20, since there are too many people who have done so much more serious shit, and only so much room in prison. But, like you said, the store would still call the police on you even for stealing $5, and you'd have a fine to pay and probably community service. Also, you'd have a record.
        
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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  6 years ago
  
  It doesn't help that many stores train their employees not to interfere with shoplifting. I'm not scared to get caught. I know which stores have security/ cameras and which don't .
  
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paramore93

6 years ago

Yeah some medications can screw your head even more than before ..
I figure it's because it can numb your thoughts and emotions to the extent that you feel like you need to do something exciting or drastic just to feel something? Be it good or bad ..

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redrainbow22

6 years ago

Stop taking your medications slowly. Slowly get off of them. They arent good for you!

You can be happy without them!

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  6 years ago
  
  That's my ultimate goal. I was suicidal in the past.
  
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  - redrainbow22
    
    6 years ago
    
    Awwww
    
    well you can get better for sure :) Even if you dont think you can
    
    Theres always hope for you. If you have to inform your doctor to get better then you should.
    
    It's up to you, but know you're doing yourself a favor by doing that. Tell him you slowly want to wean yourself off of them.
    
    If he cant get you off of them, I wouldnt take any extra pills he may want you to. At that point, your just putting yourself in a bigger hole.
    
    Getting yourself off of them slowly is the best thing you can do for yourself right now. But like I said, see if your doctor is willing to work with you.
    
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    - Anonymous Post Author
      
      6 years ago
      
      thank you
      
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      - redrainbow22
        
        6 years ago
        
        yup! :)
        
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- lonewolf1253
  
  6 years ago
  
  Only your Dr. can tell you to stop taking an anti-depressant. Or any other medication for that matter.
  
  Don't listen to some anonymous person on the internet telling you what meds to take or not to take. That's ridiculous advice to give anyone!
  
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  - Anonymous Post Author
    
    6 years ago
    
    Maybe I will inform my doctor. I'm ashamed to say it.
    
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    - lonewolf1253
      
      6 years ago
      
      He or she might switch you to something else. Abilify is known to cause such behavior and also compulsive gambling. What you say to your Dr. is confidential by law. It's not like you murdered someone. Believe me, your Dr. has probably heard a lot worse. Just be honest and see what the Dr. says.
      
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      - Anonymous Post Author
        
        6 years ago
        
        I guess youre right.
        
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- Ellenna
  
  6 years ago
  
  That's very dangerous advice considering you don't know what medication she's on and although I hate the bloody things for myself, some people can't be happy without them
  
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  - Anonymous Post Author
    
    6 years ago
    
    I'm on effexor and if I skip doses I get flu like illness, tremors and uncontrollable crying.
    
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  - redrainbow22
    
    6 years ago
    
    Thats a lie.
    
    Why dont you stop lying?
    
    Everybody can be happy without pills. If they have a negative mindset like yours, then maybe not
    
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  - redrainbow22
    
    6 years ago
    
    Why are you not MORE blaming the cause of depression on things like what is being put in our food?
    
    Or the other things that are negative around our environment?
    
    Why is it that people just cannot MAGICALLY be happy?
    
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SmokeEverything

6 years ago

Xannys make you not give a shit about anything, lowering inhibitions. I'm a bit curious why you haven't been doing drugs or acting promiscuously, and why you weren't in the first place. such "vices" are actually extremely enjoyable parts of life.

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- Anonymous Post Author
  
  6 years ago
  
  Lol
  
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Are You Normal?

Is it normal to suddenly shoplift after taking antidepressants?