Dear Abby: I’m a pathological shoplifter – I can’t stop myself from theft

Dear Abby: I need help! I am a 50-year-old, married, well-educated woman. I’m also a kleptomaniac and I’m not proud of it. It started a few years back when I accidentally left an item in my cart. Since then, I have seen it easy to get things – shoes, cosmetics, jewelry, clothing.

I’m out of control. I know it’s wrong. I say myelf, “That’s it! I won’t steal.” Then I go and do it again. I want to stop this madness inside myelf, but I can’t tell anyone. Please help me. – Getting what is not mine in tenth

Dear taking: Prohibition of this “madness within yourself” is definitely not working. Shameful as it may be, the time has come to accept someone who is qualified to help you you need. Your doctor or medical insurance company may be able to refer you to a licensed psychotherapist keeping the issue confidential. Please don’t expect to arrive.

Dear Abby: I went to dinner with a friend who had told me a few years ago that he was an alcoholic and had gone to rehabilitation. Since then, I have had doubts about his second skill of his serious family problems and his later condition for me that, after a year of therapy, he decided that he was not an alcoholic. ”

When we ate dinner recently, I ordered a glass of wine, and he ordered his usual diet coke. At the end of the dinner, I went to the bathroom and on the return I saw to get a few sips of my left wine. When I went back to the table, I didn’t say anything. Not sure if that was the right thing to do. If not, what should I have said to testify to a drinking alcoholic? – surprised in New York

Dear Surprised: At the end of the therapy, a non -performing drink does not announce that it is not an alcoholic. Your friend may be a healing alcoholic, but he is still one. From your letter it seems that his versatility can be a little bold. If you are both very close friends, you may have told him you saw what he did. If you are not, then you would have the right to remain silent because it would not be useful.

Dear Abby: My son was conceived using donor sperm. I never really because his late father did not want him to know that he was not his biological father and they loved each other.

My son, now in his 30s, has done the DNA thing and is now asking why it is 60% Jew when it is not in any family. I’m torn if I have to say. I feel terrible I don’t say as a kid. I’m afraid this could be a very big friend for her. – Concerned Mom in Nevada

Dear Mom Concerned: “Children” are more resilient than we ever think. You should not leave this world with this unfinished business. Your son deserves to know that because your husband thought that the discovery that you needed artificial insemination to conceive would make him look less than sad he was because he would not have made him less loved or less a role model.

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at http://www.dearabby.com or Yes Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.