Middle-Aged Woman’s New Pastime Has Taken Over Her Life
DEAR ABBY: I need guidance. I’m a married woman in my 50s, well-educated, and generally responsible—but I have a serious problem: I’m a kleptomaniac, and I’m not proud of it.
It began a few years ago when I accidentally left an item in my shopping cart, and since then, I’ve found myself taking things—shoes, makeup, jewelry, clothing—without paying for them.
I feel completely out of control. I know it’s wrong and I tell myself, “This ends now,” yet I find myself doing it again. I desperately want to stop this behavior, but I can’t talk to anyone about it.
Please help.
—TAKING WHAT’S NOT MINE, TENNESSEE