Materialized Socialism

I often get interview requests from undergraduate and graduate students who are writing papers about compulsive buying.  Every so often, the finished paper seems to capture something about compulsive buying that some of the seasoned writers have missed.  Rachel Davidson’s paper is one of those. A rising senior of UC Santa Clara, majoring in communication, Rachel’s… Continue reading Materialized Socialism

Influence. You Already Have It.

Becoming Minimalist blogger Joshua Becker write of influence: “…{I]t would be wise for us to stop always asking how to acquire more and instead, start asking what to do with the influence we already have.” Becker believes that once we realize the scope of our influence, we can begin to focus on being a positive… Continue reading Influence. You Already Have It.

Are You Addicted to Shopping?

According to a recent article in U.S. News and World Report, “…shopping addictions bring up issues of self-esteem, self-worth, and other hefty feelings,” and it’s a problem with serious ramifications. If you think you may be addicted to shopping, they suggest you ask yourself some of the following questions: Who can I talk to about… Continue reading Are You Addicted to Shopping?

Why Fighting Addiction Can Feel Like a Game of Whac-A-Mole

When you are trying to abstain from an addictive behavior, often another behavior will pop up in its place, says Dr. David Sack in his Addiction Recovery blog. This phenomenon is called cross-addiction: in which an addict attempts to satisfy a craving or perceived need for normalcy by engaging in a new addictive behavior (for example,… Continue reading Why Fighting Addiction Can Feel Like a Game of Whac-A-Mole

Oxygen Announces ‘My Shopping Addiction,’ ‘I’m Having Their Baby’ And More New Shows For Fall 2012

The Oxygen network will be offering a new show this fall entitled “My Shopping Addiction.” The show will cover more than just the thrill of the shopping hunt. It will delve into the subject of shopping as an addiction and the pain this addiction causes individuals as their finances spin out of control. This first-person… Continue reading Oxygen Announces ‘My Shopping Addiction,’ ‘I’m Having Their Baby’ And More New Shows For Fall 2012

How to Battle Shopping Addiction

Self-control issues and being surrounded by a culture of materialism contribute to the problem of shopping addiction, according to Terrence Shulman, of the Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft and Spending. Are you unable to stop yourself from buying? Do you have conflicts with your spouse over purchases? Ever lie about what you’ve bought? You may… Continue reading How to Battle Shopping Addiction

Addiction to Shopping — When Spending Spirals Out of Control

Can a person be addicted to shopping? Many mental health professionals would say, “yes;” comparing compulsive shopping to kleptomania, gambling and extreme internet usage. Sometimes shopping is used to make one feel better, and it usually works, until the crash of guilt and anxiety follow. The withdrawal feelings experienced when a shopaholic tries to quit… Continue reading Addiction to Shopping — When Spending Spirals Out of Control

Similarities Between Behavioral and Substance Addictions

Drugs and alcohol get our “feel good” chemicals going, which can lead to physical dependency when we want to experience that feeling again. Did you know behaviors can have the same result? Things like shopping, sex, lying, stealing, and even eating can lead to addictions that are as tough to beat as any drug. Addiction… Continue reading Similarities Between Behavioral and Substance Addictions