With April Lane Benson, Psychologist focused on treating compulsive buying disorder
Podcast: |
More than 18 million Americans are shopaholics, so if you or someone you love is one of them, you’re certainly not alone. April Benson offers three approaches to see if you are a shopaholic and three somewhat different tacks for navigating your way to a clearer understanding of whether or not you’re a problem shopper.
Shopping can be an important source of self-definition, self-expression, creativity, even healing. Done to excess, however, it can spin out of control and lead to serious problems, eroding rather than enhancing your quality of life. The more you use shopping as an attempt to fill an inner void, manage your feelings, repair your mood, or pursue a “perfect” image, the more likely it is that you need to take a closer look at what this behavior is costing you. Find out if there’s cause for concern or not. Answer questions about yourself and your shopping habits. Add up your scores for each one. And get suggestions on how to break the habit.
