Is it normal i can't help stealing from work?

Normal.

Not yet, they're a logistical nightmare.

OH yeah. I tried my hand at shoplifting a few times, got some kicks and a cool zombie cat that was way overpriced. Got caught once, no interest in trying anymore.

Thanks, I'm going to try on my own as a first step, if I can't do it alone I will see a therapist. Are they a special therapist for kleptos? How did you sort yourself out? For the record they are really nice pallets.

If it's in the bin then it's game for the takin'.

Salvage isn't theft :P

There are no TVs but huge computer monitors. There are 3 toasters in my office alone, two of which we don't use and the site would have over 100 sanitary bins.

You see the problem, it's all there. I just have to reprogram myself to understand it not fro the taking.

So yes I could get you those things easily.

It was more or less accepted that an employee could make themselves things in their own time, these were refered to as "foreign orders". Anything that was no longer needed or leftover was ours for the taking, scrap copper and stainless steel paid for our beer and Christmas party. People would paint their cars at work. one December the paint shop was loaded to the roof with over 50 rocking horses for Christmas pre zies

So it didn't begin as brazen theft so much as enjoying a perk of the job. It's just that times and what is acceptable change and all of a sudden I found myself being sneaky and devious.

I hate the thrill, I get super paranoid. I was just poor and wanted lollies.

....how is that story related to this?

You are aware that not every story is written by the same person, right?

Thanks Captain, you always know just what to say.

I see the logic in what youre saying and I agree with you 100% but I just worry I will slip up. It's a bit like telling an anorexic they aren't fat. It won't necisarily stop them dieting.

I'm a tightarse, and I'm worried I won't respect the opinion of the shrink and it will be a waste of money. Ironically my work has a free psych service but I wouldn't feel comfortable talking about it to them.

Strangely I do respect the advice of IIN and if the general consensus is to see a pro then I might consider it.

No, your therapist can't tell anybody about your problem.

They are not allowed to share ANYTHING with anyone unless they are going to hurt themselves or anyone else, so you should be okay.
I stopped because a almost got caught and that was enough of a scare for me. I kind of grew out of it. I still have urges, REALLY bad urges, but I tell myself that it's socially unacceptable and that the feeling will pass. I also try to rationally think to myself, saying that "hey, this lip gloss won't even be used" or "i think i'd only wear that shirt once" and reasoning like that kinda just makes me want to even more! So don't ever argue with yourself, LOL.

I'm not sure if there are specialists for kleptos. you may just have to see a behavioral therapist, who teach and educate on social interactions, media interferences, irrational behaviors, phobias...
When you say they're really nice pallets, what to you mean? Do you have a special love for perfect-looking items? Why exactly do you want the pallets? If you can answer these questions and not just say "oh, i don't know, just because" then that's the very first beginning to the fix. The items themselves may be the root of the problem, but, so can the "thrill" of stealing in the first place.
So is it the stealing, or the items?

No life.