Some celebs slip into posh gowns, others don sleek suits before setting on a ‘shopping’ spree. Lindsay Lohan has done it and so has American actress Winona Rider. And now a woman MP from New Zealand Golriz Grahraman too has joined the list. No, we aren’t talking about their style statements. But their itch for shoplifting!
They are rich and powerful and can buy just about anything but what makes these celebs take to shoplifting, of all things? Giving a whole new dimension to it, the New Zealand MP, who had to resign over alleged shoplifting, said it was related to “personal stress” and trauma. Do mental health issues lead the rich and powerful to resort to something as cheap as shoplifting? This maladaptive behaviour is referred to by psychologists as nonsensical shoplifting, or shoplifting that appears to be motivated by no apparent need or desire. When a celebrity shoplifting bust makes headlines, depression, trauma, pressures, and triggers are frequently mentioned.
Impulse Control disorder
Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Senior Psychiatrist and Founder of Manasthali says that it’s a type of impulse control disorder, also called Kleptomania due to which the affected individual has an urge to steal items that one doesn’t need or can buy. “The item’s monetary value or utility to the person is of no significance and therefore, people suffering from the condition are embarrassed themselves by their behaviour and suffer from guilt and shame but are unable to seek help,” she explains.
Like any other mental health disorder, self-control comes down when one is under stress. “The condition appears early in life but most people develop some degree of control on their urge to steal, but as the stress builds, one may find oneself losing that control,” adds Dr Kapoor. The New Zealand MP went on to say that the mental health professional she has been seeing told her that her behaviour is consistent with recent events giving rise to extreme stress response, and relating to previously unrecognised trauma. She is being investigated by police after three allegations of theft from boutique clothing shops.
Lost In Translation
Dr Era Dutta, Consultant Psychiatrist, Tedx speaker and Founder, Mind Wellness says, “Personal or professional stress can impair judgement and precipitate mental health conditions in some people, but it does not always lead to theft. A lot might be lost in translation when a therapist mentions that a specific behaviour may be the result of a previous pattern, trauma, deprivation, or stress. However, no mental health practitioner can help you see that as an excuse. Rather than hiding behind a diagnosis, the treatment emphasises taking responsibility for one’s behaviour.”
Addicted To Stealing
“Kleptomania is a mental health disease characterised by an inability to resist cravings to take objects that are often unnecessary. The emphasis is that they do not require the item. People with kleptomania may feel guilty, ashamed, or stressed about their stealing habits,” says Dr Era adding, “Myriad ideas are suggested from a bio-psycho-social perspective. Low serotonin levels might be associated with impulsivity. It can occur alongside other mental health issues, such as personality disorders.”
THE Allure Of Shoplifting
Lindsay Lohan was charged with felony grand theft after leaving a Venice, California boutique with a $2,500 necklace. Lohan later pled no contest to misdemeanour stealing, a lower offence, and received a 120-day jail term plus community work in 2011.
Winona Ryder was arrested in Beverly Hills after she took expensive clothes and accessories worth $5,500 from a departmental store. Ryder was found guilty of grand theft, shoplifting, and mischief.
Megan Fox was arrested for shoplifting at Walmart as a teenager when she tried to steal goods from Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s cosmetics line. When she was brought to court, she faced some unusual consequences.
Amy Schumer reveals she was a big shoplifter when she was young. She thinks that from 14 to 21, she stole items worth $100,000. She claims it escalated into “grand larceny” in college.
People suffering from the condition are embarrassed themselves by their behaviour and suffer from guilt and shame but are unable to seek help.” — Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Senior Psychiatrist & Founder, Manasthali
Kleptomania is a mental health disease characterised by an inability to resist cravings to take objects that are often unnecessary.” — Dr Era Dutta, Consultant Psychiatrist, Tedx speaker, Founder, Mind Wellness
