Worried About A Friend Of Many Years

[tamaris]

We live quite away from each other but have remained friends since we were kids.
She has had her ups and downs over the year, suffered depression and loss of loved ones. She is comfortably off and has no money worries.
She has confided to me that she is ashamed of herself, as she has been stealing. She does not know why she does it as she can pay for the things she takes. Apparantly she says it has been going on a long time. I was shocked and did not know what to say to be honest,what do you think ?

[dannyk13]

She should see her Gp with a view to an appointment with a psychiatrist

[237SJ]

My best friend said that after had Dad died she walked out of a shop with two picture frames under her arm. She didn`t know why she did it but it was obviously something to do with her emotional state. Most councils have self-referral places that deal with emotional/mental health issues and specialise in CBT and other therapies to help people. Maybe she could check her local place out and get help.

[Mamyalynne]

Some relevant points in this old article...

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jul/21/gender.uk1


Her next step if you can persuade her is to seek help, GP first call and they may put her in touch with an agency or counsellor who can help her.

[dannyk13]

She should definitely see her GP as a first step.

[jackthehat]

Oh dear....
It is far more common that you might realise.
I would suggest that she goes to see her GP as early as possible. She can't ride her luck forever and the shame she already feels will be deepened by being caught.
Show her that you are treating her confidence to you sympathetically and non-judgementally, it will certainly have been a relief to tell someone.

I wish her well.

[KARL]

Is this something psychiatrists/psychologists refer to as a form of unconscious rebellion, a way of screaming at fate and the consequences of stealing, sticking raising two fingers (or just the middle one) to all that ? Without a doubt something that needs caring assistance, although telling someone is the first sign of addressing the reality of it.

[tamaris]

It must be an illness as you all say, as it is so out of character. I know she has struggled with her weight too.