Fear of Stealing Something

Overcoming the Fear of Stealing in OCD and Anxiety: Understanding and Solutions

What is the Fear of Stealing?

The fear of stealing is a troubling concern for many people dealing with OCD and anxiety. Often, it's not the act of stealing itself that causes distress but the fear of inadvertently committing the act without realizing it. This fear extends into a broader anxiety about doing something morally wrong, like breaking a moral code, and dealing with the consequential fallout.

Understanding the Root Cause

Black and White Thinking:

One of the cognitive distortions that significantly affects individuals with OCD and anxiety is black and white thinking. This involves seeing things in absolutes—stealing is entirely wrong, so accidentally taking a friend's pen makes one a terrible person.

Fear of Consequences:

Underlying the fear of stealing is often a greater anxiety about the consequences of such an action. Could it lead to arrest? Damnation? Social ostracism? Understanding what specifically you are afraid of is the first step to managing this fear.

Why Does This Fear Linger?

The problem often lies in the pursuit of certainty—trying to be absolutely sure that one will never steal anything. This is a futile endeavor, as absolute certainty is unattainable. The need for certainty keeps individuals trapped in an anxiety loop, causing even more distress.

Behavioral Responses

To cope, people might avoid situations where the fear could arise, such as not going to jewelry stores or avoiding touching other people's belongings. These behaviors provide temporary relief but reinforce the fear over time.

How to Manage and Overcome This Fear

Cognitive Strategies:

1. Identifying Distortions:

   • Recognize and question black and white thinking patterns.

   • Understand that being conscious of morality means you're less likely to commit intentional wrongdoing.

2. Targeting the True Fear:

   • Focus not on the act of stealing but the consequences you're afraid of.

   • Use techniques like exposure and response prevention (ERP) to gradually face these fears without engaging in compulsive behaviors.

Behavioral Strategies:

1. Exposure:

   • Gradually expose yourself to feared situations, like visiting a jewelry store, while resisting the urge to avoid or perform compulsions.

2. Response Prevention:

   • Avoid behaviors that temporarily relieve anxiety, as these tend to reinforce the fear in the long run.