Shopaholism: Bad Year To Be A Compulsive Shopper

The holiday season is notoriously stressful for people with drinking problems and overeating issues. But times have never been tougher for those diagnosed with a controversial disorder called "compulsive buying," or "shopaholism."

On Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and the first official day of the holiday shopping season, 31-year-old confessed shopaholic Nikki Ebben was holed up in her bedroom in Appleton, Wis., while her husband went to Wal-Mart to snag a $500 flat-screen TV. Ms. Ebben, who has maxed out 15 credit cards and racked up more than $80,000 in debt, says she vowed to stay away from stores. Still, she couldn't resist the temptation of e-commerce, particularly the appeal of 30% off and free shipping. While her husband was gone, she spent $400 at Toysrus.com and Target.com, using money from the couple's joint bank account.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[FDRJFKLBJ]

American consumers will be begging the US government to bail them out too. Just wait and see.

These days, personal responsibility doesn't exist. The government is to blame for everything, and is needed to fix everything. Pathetic.

[tomas0808]

It's not a disease, dysfunction or a disorder. It's just stupid

[imsosure]

I'm wondering how close this blog is the National Enquirer or even MAD magazine as the quality of reporting is just so pathetic.

[carrieanna]

My mom had an addiction to buying things. I think she always liked to buy little things at the malls here and there but when my parents' marriage really hit the skids, she turned to shopping for consolation. QVC was the initial enabler. She said she'd watch it just for a laugh but I noticed little boxes started turning up quite a bit.

Now that he's retired, I feel like my dad has become addicted to buying things too. I used to think he just wanted to get out of the house for a break but I've noticed he ALWAYS has to buy something. Even if we buy our week's worth of meals at the grocery store, he will discover things he needs to buy at least another 3 or 4 times.

The worst is that he looks down on my tightfisted-ness. I somehow luckily inherited my grandmother's Great Depression urge to save my money. But I also know that staying out of the stores keeps me from spending money. I actually am a pretty good window shopper...but the past year or so I feel like there's nothing new to see at the stores. I have a hard time even going into the Museum stores these days.

[NWBrunette]

Oh brother. People who behave like the woman in this story are not "shopaholics". They're just lacking in responsibility. She just needs to grow up.