Please help me urgently - theft

[Guest]

Could they take this further based on information they got after I'd left? Or did they need to have stopped me at the time? Do they keep a log suspicions and if so how long for? What about the door alarm? Des I'm sorry for all the questions and I appreciate your prompt response, you have no idea how grateful I am that I can talk to you...

[Guest]

Also do you mean they have caught me red handed?

[des8]

Well you don't know what evidence M&S might have about your activities, and the door alarm means nothing.
It would just be easier for them to prosecute if they had apprehended you with stolen items, so I don't understand why they didn't.

It could of course be that as you felt guilty you imagined all these people were targeting you, whilst in fact it was someone else or they were just going about their normal duties.
Bit like driving a car which has no MOT ... one imagines every cop is looking for one and there's a big arrow pointing out the car.

anyway, there is nothing you can do about it now, so try not to stress but do see your GP

[Guest]

Can they prosecute with the info I think they have? Or might they be hoping I do it again so they can stop me next time?

Des, what would I say to my GP? I want Help but Injust cant...

[des8]

You don't know what information M&S have, so we can't guess what they can do.

Just pop in and tell your GP you are suffering from anxiety, and you are behaving out of character.
she will ask why, so then tell her why you are stressed and that you find yourself stealing when it is not necessary.
She will steer you from there

Good luck

[Guest]

Do you think it looks bad for me now? Do you think it's more likely police will be involved?

[des8]

I do not know, but I doubt it
Time will tell

[Guest]

I'm so frightened now Des. How long would it take the police to be in touch?

[des8]

You are going round in circles in your mind........... the police might never be in touch, and even if they are it is a minor offence and most probably won't even reach court. You will not be gaoled

Please consult your doctor as soon as possible

[Guest]

Thank you for your time again Des. I havent slept all night. I can seem to switch off from it all. I know I am not helping myself by googling everything all hours of the day and night but my brain cant switch of from it. I feel like such a bad person and I just don't recognise myself or what I have put myself through all this added stress. Your time and support means a lot.

[ULA]

Midnight owl I cannot add anything to the advice provided by des8 in regard to what may happen.

However I am concerned about your mental health over this and would urge, as des8 has, that you do go and see your GP about the level of anxiety you are suffering at the moment.

[Scot22]

I emphasise what Des and Ula have advised. Do see a doctor. The longer you are struggling in the mire the harder it becomes to get free.
More people than you know care for you. The title of a book was 'Feel the fear and do it anyway'.

[Guest]

Hello everyone, I just wanted to update you that I have spoken to my husband about my social anxiety and recent awful events... it was really hard to do and a lot of tears were shed but he has been just brilliant in his support and, like you all, didn't offer any judgement even though it must be a huge thing to take on board. Small steps...
I also had a short telephone call with my GP this afternoon as they couldn't offer a face to face appointment. Although I didn't mention what happened shopping I explained about my ongoing struggles with anxiety and they are going to send me some links etc as a starting point to feeling better.
I wanted to express my gratitude to you all again for your time and your kindness. I still feel extremely nervous about what the future holds, but at least I am not facing it totally alone now.

[Scot22]

I only contributed 3 short posts. Howevr, I must commend you for listening and thinking about what. has been posted. Knowing that the posts have helped makes it worthwhile. Thanks for coming back to share your progress and may the future bring all you wish for yourself.

[ULA]

Hi Midnight owl thank you for coming back to update us and well done to you for undertaking what must have been a very difficult conversation with your husband and then speaking to your GP. Those are as you say "small" but important steps.

So pleased that you have felt supported by our community and now you have your husband and GP as well.

You know where we are if you need any more help through your journey be it legal or moral support.