Compulsive Stealing in a 15-Year-Old Girl: A Rare Presentation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

A Case Report | Open Access

Volume 2026 - 5 | Article ID 283 | http://dx.doi.org/10.51521/WJCRCI.2026.e51.424

Compulsive Stealing in a 15-Year-Old Girl: A Rare Presentation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Academic Editor: John Bose

Received 2026-03-12
Revised 2026-04-10
Accepted 2026-04-13
Published 2026-04-16

Dr. Sudarshani Manikku Patabandige

University of Ruhuna, Faculty of Medicine, Sri Lanka, Email: sudarshanipatabandige@gmail.com

Corresponding Author: Dr. Sudarshani Manikku Patabandige, University of Ruhuna, Faculty of Medicine, Sri Lanka, email: sudarshanipatabandige@gmail.com

Citation: Dr. Sudarshani Manikku Patabandige (2026) Compulsive Stealing in a 15-Year-Old Girl: A Rare Presentation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. World J Case Rep Clin Imag. 2026 April; 5(1),1-3.

Copyrights © Dr. Sudarshani Manikku Patabandige., 2026, This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-4.0-International-License-(CCBY-NC) (https://worldjournalofcasereports.org/blogpage/copyright-policy). Use and distribution for commercial purposes require written permission.

Abstract:

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can occasionally present with unusual behavioral manifestations, making diagnosis challenging. We report a 15-year-old girl who was expelled from school after repeatedly stealing money from teachers. Traditional disciplinary measures failed. Psychiatric evaluation revealed obsessional compulsions driven by a persistent fear that her father would die if she did not steal, accompanied by severe depressive symptoms. She was treated with antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and achieved complete remission within one month. This case highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of OCD in adolescents.

Keywords: Obsessive-compulsive disorder, adolescent, compulsive stealing, depression, cognitive behavioral therapy, rare presentation.