Madame Bovary, in Gustave Flaubert’s first novel, was imprisoned in a gilded cage. In order to escape her prison, she indulged in living beyond her means. She moved on to adulterous affairs and, after driving her family into the poor house, she committed suicide in shame. This serves as a cautionary tale to women crowding… Continue reading Compulsive Shopping: The Applauded Addiction
Category: Compulsive Buying
Shopping Addiction
Signs of shopping addiction include a chronic pattern of difficulty in stopping the behavior and repetitive, seemingly uncontrollable purchases that are negatively affecting you financially, personally, and perhaps in your relationships. Shopping addiction is an impulse control disorder and similar to other addictions, though without the use of an addictive drug. A number of social and… Continue reading Shopping Addiction
“Addicted” to Shopping?
The Atlantic is renown for the quality of their reportage. This article, using clickable links, pulls together information from various recent studies. Brian Fung looks into the issue of whether one can be “addicted” to shopping. He notes the similarity between drug addicts and shopping addicts while each is involved in their addictions. Both groups… Continue reading “Addicted” to Shopping?
Six Shopping Addictions and How to Curb Them
Here are simple strategies to help you deal with six various shopping pitfalls: the shopping channel addict, the drugstore junkie, the big-box store hoarder, the Target cart filler, the online over spender; or a Martha Stewart wannabe? Does one of these people sound like you? If so, check out these common sense approaches in this… Continue reading Six Shopping Addictions and How to Curb Them
Couple Divorces Over Wife’s Shopping Addiction
In a case demonstrating the world-wide nature of shopping addiction the Taipei Times reports that a couple has divorced over a “wife’s seemingly random but pervasive purchasing habits.” After 26 years of marriage the Taichung branch of the High Court declared their marriage defunct. The wife started buying bulk quantities of toiletries and tossing them… Continue reading Couple Divorces Over Wife’s Shopping Addiction
I’m In Credit Card Debt From Our Shopping Addiction…And It’s My Friend’s Fault
A nomination in the “birds of a feather” category goes to Christina Anderson and her fashion addicted friend who spurred each other on in their extreme shopping behavior. “Every time I would click ‘purchase’ I got a sick feeling in my stomach and my American Express bill just continued to add up,” said Ms. Anderson.… Continue reading I’m In Credit Card Debt From Our Shopping Addiction…And It’s My Friend’s Fault
How to Tell If You Are a Shopaholic
Former shopaholic Erika speaks from personal experience in her list of traits common to shopaholics. These traits include the following warning signs: You turn to shopping when bored, worried, or anxious. You lose interest in an item once you get it home. Friends and family notice your habit and comment on it. You just can’t… Continue reading How to Tell If You Are a Shopaholic
Treating the Cognitive Components of Addiction
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on our thoughts, not on our situations. The skills learned help us to handle difficult situations in new ways, which can be helpful in many problem areas of life, including addiction. In a cognitive behavioral approach to substance abuse treatment, patients learn new coping skills, how to change old habits… Continue reading Treating the Cognitive Components of Addiction
How One Small Decision Saved Me
Like dominoes, one decision can start an unstoppable process. Blogger Jill Chivers shares the story of a recent dilemma while driving by a shopping mall. Remembering she was out of her favorite tea, Chivers thought about stopping in for some. Being in a difficult emotional place at the time, she realized she wouldn’t just stop… Continue reading How One Small Decision Saved Me
Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion
By Lexi McGlade In an eye-opening novel entitled, Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline, the consequences of “fast fashion” are considered. Fast fashion is a term used to acknowledge the rapidity with which trends move from the runway into stores in accordance with the latest style. Cline interweaves personal… Continue reading Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion