Compulsive Spending Behavior

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how addictive disorders are characterized by recurrent failure to control a behavior, increased tension prior to a behavior, and pleasure while experiencing a behavior. In particular, it looks at compulsive spending behavior and how spending addicts use money like a drug.

Outline:
Who Is the Compulsive Spender?
Profile of the Compulsive Spender
Age
Personality
Gender
Race as a Factor
Compulsive Spending Behavior as Part of Pathological Illness
Bipolar Disorder

From the Paper:

"The person who uses money as a drug is an addict. This person utilizes money as a ticket to getting on the fast train or the merry-go-round of a dream life. This person has no concept of bartering. This person uses money like the heroin addict uses a needle. It brings the high, but in itself, is worth nothing. To the compulsive overspender, money is considered worthless. It is a means to an end and is held in such low esteem that it is literally thrown away. Once the person wakes up in the morning and realizes what they have done and that they will have to pay in terms of time, anxiety, work and years of poverty, they may come to value the reality of what money is a little more. But the habit has set in and the next time the addict wishes to find a "high," overspending will occur again."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Adams, D.B. (2007). Psychological.com [Online] http://www.psychological.com/impulse_control_disorders.htm
• Addiction. (Jan 2007). Crown Financial Ministries. <http://www.crown.org/Library/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=426>.
• Arenson, G. (Sep 1991). Born to Spend: How to overcome compulsive spending. London: Human Services Inst.: 1st ed. Edition.
• Belk, R. (2000). Are we what we own? I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self. Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson, Inc.
• Benson, A. L. (2000). I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self. Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson, Inc.

More papers on Compulsive Spending Behavior:

• Term Paper # 98565 : "Compulsive Spending Disorder"
• Research Paper # 75450 : "Samantha Jones and Compulsive Sexual Behavior"
• Analytical Essay # 95502 : "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in 'As Good As It Gets'"

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