The document explores the concept of compulsive buying disorder (CBD), highlighting the prevalence of excessive shopping habits among Americans and their emotional and financial consequences. It discusses the psychological triggers and marketing tactics that promote compulsive shopping, along with a variety of influences, including media and social pressures. The document also offers recovery strategies and support resources for individuals struggling with shopping addiction.

1. Could you be a Shopaholic?• Do you hide purchases from your loved ones?• Are there items in your closet with the tags still on?• Do you "forget" about purchases & wonder how to pay for them when the bill arrives?• Do you often tap into "emergency" savings to make ends meet? Do you travel at the drop of a hat or take more trips before past ones are paid for? (Bridgforth, 2004)

2. RESEARCHGROUPStarring Brian Carney, Lanae Corby, Robin Juliano Dart, Nicole Lima, Laura Matz

3. DefinitionsShoppingPurchasing anything either in a store, online, via catalog, etc. excluding essential items (i.e. food and toiletries) required to live.Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) Characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges or behaviors regarding shopping and spending, which lead to adverse consequences. U.S. National Library of Medicine & National Institutes of Health

4. Compulsive BuyingSome Interesting FactsAbout 18 million Americans present excessive shopping habits that interfere with their relationships or careers. - American Journal of Psychiatry 65% of readers have hidden bags from someone close to them and26% shop online more than once a week. - Lucky Magazine, Readers’ Survey, May 2011While compulsive buying is more common in women, men are close behind. Women = shop as a social activity (shoes, accessories, etc.)

5. Men = shop to compete (electronics, real estate, etc.)

6. Group Research Survey Results74% admitted that they go shopping once a week. Participants spent an average of $25 to $50 per week shopping. 76% percent also owned between one and three credit cards, including store credit cards. The majority of those that took the survey stated that they actually feel a certain “high” after completing a shopping spree. 19% percent of the participants admitted that they have gotten themselves into financial trouble because of their careless shopping habits. Almost half of those who took the survey disagreed that they felt guilty after purchasing these items, even though sometimes fully aware that they simply could not afford them.

7. Across Cultures, Genders & AgesShopping is a Pastime that Bonds us togetherShopping Makes Us Happy

8. Why? It’s All in Your Head!Central Nervous SystemNucleus Accumbens= Rewards Brain w/ the Opioid Dopamine HEREAmygdala & Cerebellum also involved with emotional reactions to pleasure. Shopping is Highly Involving.Dopamine creates a temporary “high”, also released during sex.These feelings can be Addictive!Gamblers, Drug Abusers, Alcoholics and even Shopaholics experience this.“Credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift.... The hangover comes the day after.” - Joyce Brothers, Psychologist

9. Can Shopping Make You Crazy?Compulsive Buyers can also have:Anxiety Disorders (OCD)

10. Affective Disorders (Bipolar)Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors

11. ObsessionsRecurrent thought and/or urgesCannot be controlledCompulsionsPurposeful, repetitive behaviorsReduce anxiety from obsessionsBipolar DisorderDisease of the nervous system

12. Previously known as manic depression

13. Impairs thinking and judgmentJack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets

14. Contributors to Compulsive Buying The Shopping Industry is Fully Integrated into Every Aspect of Our LivesCorporations are VERY aware of shopping’s affect on consumers, as a result of investing in extensive research.

15. Corporations exploit this weakness using various marketing techniques. Retail (i.e. Malls, Store Cards, Grocery Stores)

16. Credit Cards (Chase, Discover, etc.)

17. Online Shopping Sites (Ebay, Gap, Loft, etc.)

18. Magazines (Lucky, Marie Claire, etc.)

19. In-Home Shopping Companies (Tupperware, Avon)Retail Marketing TechniquesMalls, Shopping Centers & Stores are all designed to grab the shopper’s attention“A man will never love you or treat you as well as a store. If a man doesn't fit, you can't exchange him seven days later for a gorgeous cashmere sweater.” - Rebecca Bloomwood from Confessions of a Shopaholic

20. Retail Marketing TechniquesAIDA (Attention > Interest > Desire > Action)

21. Use of Sensory Stimuli— Visual Displays, Music, Scents ignite the senses and excites consumers so that they shop longer and spend more $$$.“Shopping is my Cardio.” - Carrie from Sex and the City

22. Retail Marketing TechniquesPromotions & Sales IncentivesVictoria’s Secret, Nordstrom, Macy’s, JC Penney, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Express, Etc.Spend certain amount, get a discount (spend $350, get $50 off your purchase)Free Gift - Spend $150, receive a FREE tote bag (Victoria’s Secret and Neiman Marcus)Store credit cards – sign up for store card and receive discount, the more you $pend the more you $ave ??? (use store credit cards more = interest and debt)

23. Retail Marketing TechniquesGrocery Stores (Acme, Giant, Fresh Grocer, etc.)Stores are carefully laid out to guide consumers around entire store (Directed down more aisles to increase chances of purchasing more than what they came for)

24. Place necessity items towards the back (get consumers to walk through entire store)Distribution of coupons (influence consumers to buy products they normally wouldn’t just because of discount)Credit Card CompaniesThe more money you spend = more money you will get back in CA$H! (i.e. Chase Credit Card)

25. Encourages people to use their credit cards more often = DEBT!!! “I like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet.” - Carrie from Sex and the City=

26. Online Marketing TechniquesShopping Sites Make It Easy & Convenient to Spend(Ebay, Groupon, Living Social, Gap, Piperlime, DSW)Rainy Day? Still In Your PJ’s? You Can Shop From Home!!

27. A Computer & Credit Card is All You Need

28. “Expedited Shipping”, “Easy Returns” & “Online Only Sales”MagazinesMagazines Make It Easy to SpendShop with Your Cell Phone = Instant Gratification

29. “Text to Buy” items featured in Lucky Magazine

30. QR Codes – Cell Phones Direct Readers to Company Websites

31. Articles Feature Online Shopping Sites & BlogsIn-Home Shopping CompaniesRepresentatives Bring the Store to Your Living RoomTupperware – Kitchenwares

32. Avon – Makeup

33. Premier Designs - JewelryOther InfluencesFamous Sources = Star Power – Musicians, Actors & AthletesCeleb Shopping Sightings – Magazines & Websites

34. Product Endorsements & Sponsorship (i.e. American Idol – Coca Cola)

35. Product Placements – Movies, Music Videos, TV ShowsOther InfluencesMainstream Media - Movies & TelevisionConsumers Identify with Idols & desire their Lifestyles

36. Shop to become their Ideal Selves

37. Meanwhile their Actual Selves are falling into Debt

38. Most can’t afford a team of stylists and personal trainersInfluences & AttitudesGroup Influences - Social PressuresSocial Media – Facebook, Twitter

39. Phone Applications – Games, Shopping Sites

40. Word of Mouth, Viral & Buzz MarketingExpectancy Theory – Compulsive Shoppers BelieveTheir Actions will Lead to Social AcceptanceAttitude Function: UtilitarianRewarded with “Shiny” new purchases = Pleasure

41. Punished by having to pay for them or face Debt = Very PainfulAttitude ABC’s: Hierarchy of Effects Experiential/Hedonic

42. Affect (Emotional Reaction) > Behavior (Buy) > Cognition (Think After)Warning:Dangers of Compulsive BuyingHoarding – (Hoarders on A&E & Clean House on Style Network)

43. While attempting to reach their Ideal Self, a Compulsive Buyer’s Actual Self has become obsessed with obtaining and having possessions to fill the void.Eeeek!!

44. Starting the Recovery ProcessHelpful tips to keep from getting Carried AwayEducate Yourself on the Topic

45. Make a Shopping Diary to Track Purchases

46. Set up a Budget and Set a $avings Goal

47. Cancel Magazines, Catalogs, Emails

48. Avoid Carrying Credit Cards“If I don’t stop shopping, I’ll end up a bag lady; a Fendi bag lady, but a bag lady…..” - Carrie from Sex and the City

49. Breaking Up With Shopping“I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.” Tammy Faye BakkerSteps to Break the Addiction Get professional help

50. Proper medication

51. Involvement in Support Groups

52. Encourage family/friends to learn about topic

53. Treat all existing addictionsSources for Help Financial Recovery Institute

54. AllPaid

55. Hearth House

56. Debtors Anonymous (DA)

57. Meetings began in 1982

58. Recovery methods are based on that of Alcoholics Anonymous

59. More than 500 registered meeting groups in over 15 countries

60. Success of the program relies on the support each member receives from one anotherDebtors AnonymousA Typical DA MeetingMen and Women equally represented

61. Importance of anonymity was emphasized at all times

62. Short prayer to God asking for knowledge and for the courage to change – Serenity Prayer

63. Reading of the twelve steps embraced by the organization

64. Introduction of newcomers

65. Pre-selected reading from an outside source

66. Sharing time Tools OfferedWeekly Meetings

67. Pressure Relief Meetings

68. Business MeetingsThank You Very Much!!!To Our ProfessorTo Our ClassmatesTo Our Survey TakersTo Our Group Members

69. Any Questions???