Why my eating disorder turned me into a grocery thief

6 years ago

My God I thought I was the only one. I actually have a theory on why I do/did this: it may serve as a means to ‘trick’ your brain into feeling comfort that the scarcity created isn’t as dire as previously thought. By stealing these kinds of items, perhaps we provide a temporary sense of abundance, almost like a “hey! Hey! See? We can actually have anything we want! We’re not starving after all!”, and by doing so it feel empowered, at ease, and at peace with our otherwise helpless reality.

johnalison35

7 years ago

Hi Tabitha. I can connect with you 100% with regard to stealing. Mainly food; from a couple of favorite health food shops. I had the audacity to steal pots of delicious honey - the expensive manuka kind I'm afraid. I privately nick-named myself the "honey thief!" I also stole some brown rice and granola bars. I never stole from main stores, but from smaller shops and even fruit n veg markets in the street. I never got caught but I also had this compulsion to steal! I even risked stealing the odd small item when I was abroad like the odd fridge magnet, bottle of water etc. I haven't streaked in years fortunately but if I know it's too risky then I won't attempt to steal. My heart went out to you when I listened to your experience of getting caught in Edinburgh. I am so relieved you didn't get charged but I can relate to your intense stress after that incident. I haven't coped with stress at all well in the past and still don't at times of worry. Thank you for this educational podcast. Alison x

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