Compulsive Shopping essays

Compulsive Shopping essays Compulsive Shopping Compulsive shopping is an affliction that affects 15 million Americans (13.5 million women and 1.5 million men). (Bertagnoli, 2003) Compulsive shopping, or the risk of becoming a compulsive shopper, affects approximately between two and eight percent of Americans. (Chaker, 2003) But, what is this condition known to the psychiatric community as Oniomania, in its simplest definition, is an obsession with purchasing items. Those suffering from compulsive shopping find themselves purchasing items they don't need. They often purchase multiples of an item. Deborah Rodriguez, a confirmed compulsive shopper, related coming "home with six packages of clothespins even though she didn't own a clothesline." (Chaker, 2003) Acknowledging this pattern of behavior as a problem is step one in finding a cure; uncovering the causes of the behavior is the next Some professionals surmise that compulsive shopping is an emotional disorder. Those suffering from this problem often use the purchasing of products to fill an emotional void in their lives. Many try to replace missing love and affection with the purchasing of items. Others hide behind their purchasing habits, from real life situations. Karen Patterson (2003) states that these purchases "create and remind one of one's identity, () create feelings of well-being to counter feelings of emotional or social emptiness, ( and) express the self for self- The cause, for this disorder, may take root in social causes as well. It may be a learned behavior from parents of children who used material rewards. Americans also have the tendency to equate material items with success and social status. Keeping up with the Jones'' has never been more true. No matter what cause spurred a healthy, responsible shopping ...