Compulsive Spending Disorder

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that compulsive spenders have the compulsion and drive to spend, unique feelings about shopping, a tendency to spend, experienced dysfunctional spending and post-purchase guilt. The author points out that, when the comparison shopper feels 'the thrill of the hunt and the glory in the kill' of finding a lower price for something that has high value to others, there is a danger that a compulsive bargain hunter can become addicted to this activity. The paper concludes that, although compulsive spending is beginning to be accepted as a defined psychological illness, there is little help for the person with this behavior other than a strong desire to seek counseling or self-treatment.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Who Is the Compulsive Spender?
Profile
Age
Personality
Gender
Compulsive Spending Behavior as Part of Pathological Illness
Bipolar Disorder
How Bipolar Disorder Affects Lives
Treatment
Compulsive Spending Behavior as an Addiction
The Effect of Addiction
Shopping and Window Shopping as a Distraction
Effects of Addiction
The Act of Shopping
The Owning of Objects
Bargain Hunting
Binge Shopping
Codependent Spending
Bulimic Spending
Compulsive Spending As a Symptom
The Financial Aspect of Compulsive Spending
Financial Recognition of Compulsive Spending
Types and Treatments
Denial as an Aspect of Addiction
Treatments for Compulsive Spending Behavior
Professional Counseling
Self-Help
Discipline

From the Paper:

"When a person is insecure about their self-image, they may seek to enhance or extend their self-image in their own and others' eyes. In so doing, they overspend. The compulsive spender then feels guilt and shame over spending too much and finding him or herself in debt. As a result, he or she may become secretive about the problem. In order to overcome the negative, inadequate feelings created by the addiction, he or she indulges again, lying to cover up how much was spent, throwing away price tags and receipts, doing financial juggling with checkbooks and savings, borrowing from other people and borrowing from one line of credit to pay another, "maxing out" their credit cards and doing anything to get money to cover up their addiction. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Addiction". (January 2007). Crown Financial Ministries. <http://www.crown.org/Library/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=426>.
• Benson, A. L. (2000). I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self. Northvale, New Jersey: Jason Aronson, Inc.
• Carrier, L. and Maurice, D, (1998). "Beneath the Surface: The Psychological Side of Spending Behaviors." Financial Planning Association. <http://www.fpanet.org/journal/articles/1998_Issues/jfp0298-art14.cfm>.
• Engs, R. (27 Dec 2006). "How Can I Manage Compulsive Shopping And Spending Addiction (Shopoholism)." Indiana University, Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington. <http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/hints/shop.html>.
• Fenichel, M. (22 January 2007). "What is Bipolar Disorder?" Psychology Reference Guide. <http://www.fenichel.com/Current.shtml>.

More papers on Compulsive Spending Disorder:

• Research Paper # 98695 : "Compulsive Spending Behavior"
• Essay # 53073 : "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder"
• Essay # 70254 : "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder"

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