Shopping Addiction: Affecting more and more Americans

Shopping Addiction: Affecting more and more Americans

CHAMPAIGN -- It's the biggest shopping day of the year, but while you're throwing those discounted items in your cart there could be a highly common disorder coming along for the ride.

It's called shopping addiction.

140 million people are expected to hit the stores this weekend and a big chunk of them suffer from it but have no clue.

The rush of finding a great deal is something anyone would enjoy, but for a large percentage of people it's much more.

"It's a serious problem and a lot of people have it."

Shopping addiction.

Something a lot of people don't consider a real disorder. Dr. Ron Faber is a professor at the University of Minnesota.

He travels all over the country, teaming up with therapists to educate people on the addiction and offer help.

"I was so compelled by the stories and experiences that I just had this need and desire to learn more about it."

He's found 5% of Americans suffer from the compulsive disorder but how do you know you're one of them?

"They are very much into the feels, the smells, the sights, the sounds while shopping. For them, Christmas is a time where they get very deeply into those because the stores have all of these sensations going on."

Faber has found instead of a large balance on their credit card, people with this disorder experience devastating reprocussions.

"I've experienced interviews with many people that have ended up in divorce because of this, people who have ended up in court for writing bad checks to keep the behavior going."

Studies show the holiday season is one of the biggest triggers.

Faber has found it's not the easiest disorder to own up to but anyone experiencing signs should get help.

"It's far more serious and far more devastating to them then people would imagine."

5 ways to beat your shopping addiction:





5. Get support. Kicking an addiction is hard to do alone. Get some help from friends, family or others. Debtors Anonymous <> is a great resource, and they have groups in cities across the country.

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