[ohlala]

I never shoplifted or stole things before in my life but when I was escalating into mania I began stealing small things from stores. I got a "kick" out of it. I guess that went along with "risky/thrill seeking behaviors" manic people display. I stole small stuff and I did it in a kind of bold, cocky manner. I had plenty of money but I would just steal. For example, I remember in Staples I was making some copies and there was a display (by the register) of these wacky looking neon colored ballpoint pens that lit up and flashed when you pressed down to write. They had a chain and ring at the end (like a keychain). I was fascinated with them. So when I was waiting to pay for my copies I just put reached over and grabbed one and hooked it to a ring on my purse. (Nobody was in line in back of me). The clerk seemed not to notice and I just walked out with my (paid for) copies and with the pen dangling from my purse! Another time I was in a small boutique and along with an armload of clothes which I was taking to the fitting room I stopped and started looking at earrings. They weren't expensive (maybe $10-$15). I tried on several pair then headed to the fitting room with the ones I liked on my ears. I tried on the clothes and decided not to buy any and then I walked out wearing the earrings! I suppose some serious consequences could have occured if I was caught (however I don't know what that would've been for a $ 3.00 pen!). I've never done it again and I know I wasn't in my right mind when I did it. Has anyone ever done this (or similar) while manic?

[Raindropvampire]

Yes. When i was younger and not medicated I used to take risks like that all the time. Even if I had the money I'd still just take stuff. Took my uncle's car out for a joyride one night. He didn't call the police but he could have. I've taken all kinds of stuff just for the thrill of it. It's always been when I'm manic. Now the meds seem to help curb that or it could just be I've gotten older and have a little more self control.

[roads]

I've had nearly overwhelming urges to steal, this was long before I was dx'd BP2, physical really. and I remember thinking one time that I needed to do it to be okay. But the items in question were large/valuable, & always at work. I worked for a large computer company, was trusted big time, could easily have made another seem responsible. I knew I'd be caught (obviously my mania stopped before I got to projecting outcome!).

I have no doubt that, had a CD or costume jewelry been the product in question, I would have taken it and moved on.

Amazing how obvious my manic episodes are in retrospect. I had a psyc minor in under grad but clearly didn't learn about bipolar disorder.

[SunAngel]

When I was a teenager, I used to shoplift small stuff. I wasn't diagnosed yet, but was in a constant state of mania.

I wouldn't worry too much about the pen. It is a very cheap thing and they probably had so many of them. I would have done the same thing too if I was fascinated by them.

No. Plenty of other regrettable things, but not that.

I did steal something once while manic and psychotic. I was at a local gig for some bands, I left and stole one of the bands vans. After falling down a long flight of stairs, I decided it was a good idea to go to a bigger city, how, hmm this van looks good big, safe. I got in got it half way down the alley stalled it. I had never driven before, so I got out and walked. Now I would not do that again, but at the time it seemed live a marvelous idea. Lucky I never got in trouble.

[Anneinside]

No......