Shopaholics are consumers out of control, frequently buying items they don't need. They may not even remove from the packaging.
In a random telephone survey of 2,514 adults, researchers found that 5.5 percent of men and 6 percent of women are addicted to shopping. These shopaholics are most likely to be young and live in homes with annual incomes less than $50,000. [1]
According to the article, men are much more likely to be obsessed with tools, electronic gadgets, books and CDs. While, women are obsessed with clothes, jewelry, makeup, craft paraphernalia and items for the home. The causes for shopaholics may be just a physical rush, a pleasureable feeling, boosting self-esteem, or assuaging boredom. The exact cause for this "compulsive buying disorder" is unknown. [1]
A study of 21 female shopaholics carried out at Stanford Medical School found that use of an anti-depressant (a drug similar to Prozac) produced marked improvements in their compulsive shopping behaviour. [2]
[1] Shopping bug bites men, too Mercury News, October 1, 2006 [2] Shopaholics treated with drugs BBC 12 March, 2002
