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My sister in law was just diagnosed as bi-polar and she has had a long, painful love affair with shopping. Her nickname is Quantity Kerry if that tells you anything. If she finds something she likes she will buy it in every color. She has taken over both walk in closets in her bedroom, leaving her husband to hang his clothes in the spare room closet. Family members just thought she liked to shop and have new things. Her and her husband have a ton of debt because she buys without thinking. Her rationalization is the fact that she works and contributes to the family money so she should get to spend it. Her husband never buys anything for himself and works a lot of overtime to make more money. Once she was diagnosed everything made sense. In her manic phase she would have to purchase whatever she wanted at the moment;clothes, books, makeup, you name it. Since she was just diagnosed in the past 2 months she is still struggling with controlling the impulse to buy. She tries to limit the number of times she has to go to a store in an effort to avoid temptation. At least she has an idea of why she feels the need to buy things, hopefully she work it out from there.
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Bipolar spending
I disagree with certain assumptions and inferences presnted in your appeal to understand the buying habits of a particular segment of the population {i.e. mentally ill or bipolar]. Accordingly, several studies done on the subject matter indicate the buying habits are chemical and provide positive stimulation.
If overspenders are assumed to be bipolar or mentally ill--what does that make those who choose to never spend regardless of circumstances. There are extremes on both sides of the equation.Comment
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Couldn't some of that stuff be taken back? If Quantity Kerry brings the clothes home and they hang up in the closet with the tags still on, couldn't they be taken back to the store?
Not trying to be flip, but trying to point out maybe a way to not break the bank.Comment
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Your comments brought up memories! I do remember my mom taking a lot of her purchases back because she comes home with boatloads of purchases that she did on her whims.Originally posted by cptacek View Post
I remember one time she went shopping with the intentions for groceries.... well there happened to be a huge clearance in the make-up department (small towns tends to have combo of groceries and drugstore together). She came home with 300 dollars worth of make-up that filled much of the cart.
She felt so guilty so she went to take them back.. Only to find she could not return them because they were on clearance.
She had a good cry and taped the receipt on the refrigerator for a reminder. It didn't really prevent future shopping sprees but she sure did cry every time she looked at the receipt.Comment
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Bipolar Spending
I am bipolar and I have gone through spending sprees. Most of mine have actually been when I am in a mixed state. I get depressed and have to purchase something to make myself feel better (which actually makes me worse because I spend too much). I will go out and buy several of the same things. For instance my latest was a bunch of guitars (1 Dean, 1 Dano and 2 Taylors). It totalled about $4,000. In my normal thought pattern, I would know better but when I get depressed I get in a fog and get tunnel vision and fixated on something and I think about it until I impulsively buy it. I have had purchases while manic and I just seem to feel care free about money. It normally leads to a bad place financially though.Comment
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One of my stepdaughters has this problem, and it is very very serious. It has even led to theft to support her problem and she refuses to get help for it.Comment
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This is where the true psychology about spending comes in. It is like any other disease or addiction. It becomes a safety net, a comfort, something to get through the tough times. It can even become a negotiation in which a person (bi-polar or not) promises him/herself that if they spend more this week, they will spend less next week to make up for it. These type of habits are found all over this site, and all through today's society. The credit card companies have become pushers and enablers, feeding the fire at the times when we are most vulnerable. The sooner that individuals can recognize their weakness, the better. Good luck to all!Originally posted by tr7nity View PostComment
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I think that depression is a MUCH bigger problem in our society. Lots of people suffer from it and it often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
Marketing people take advantage of this and promote shopping or a product as a way to make yourself feel better.
How often do we go to the mall when we are feeling lousy as a way to pick ourselves up? Or just out of bordom? Ever not know really why you bought something, or are indifferent about what you purchased?Comment
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