WHYY Radio - Voice in the family features the issue of Compulsive Shopping on Feb 15

"Do you often shop to make yourself feel happy? Perhaps you go on buying binges that you just can't afford and afterward feel even more anxious, guilty and depressed. Well you are not alone about 18 million Americans are problem shoppers. On the next Voices in the Family, Dr. Dan Gottlieb and his guests discuss compulsive shopping and it's affects on you, your relationships and your life. Dr. Gottlieb's guest is April Lane Benson, Ph.D. She is the author of To Buy or Not To Buy. She is also the Director of Stopping Overshopping. He'll also talk with James Mitchell, M.D., President of the Neuropsychiatric Research Institute and Chairman of the Clinical Neuroscience Department at the University of North Dakota. Dr. Mitchell's work can be found at www.nrifargo.com." - from WHYY Radio

To listen, visit http://www.whyy.org/91FM/voices.html.

Are you in debts?

"Debtors Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from compulsive debting.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop incurring unsecured debt. There are no dues or fees for D.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions."

-From Debtors Anonymous (D.A.)

DA is a great place to start dealing with your debts, they offer Internet, telephone meetings and in person meetings including outside the US for free! Please visit their website at http://debtorsanonymous.org/

Great support group!

Don't know where to start? Not ready to commit to a therapist yet?
Visit http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/shopaholics
to hear the real stories from the real people and get supported!

This website is full with support and care that you need !
It also contains great resources on shopping addiction on variety issues.
All you need to do is sign up for free!

Need a Therapist? Find one today!

http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/

This website provide detailed listings for psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists and counselors, who are available throughout the United States and Canada so choose a state to begin your search.

Me, Myself and The tee

Do you have a hard time dealing with pressure from salesmen? Are you easily tempted by fancy displays? Do you sometimes simply lose track of yourself while you shop?

Here is a perfect DIY idea that you can do to save yourself from these situations.

After observing compulsive shoppers, we noticed that the fitting room is a great place to hide from all of those temptations. It’s just you and yourself in the mirror, there is nobody else to bother you or influence your thoughts.

This idea is for you to write personal questions or messages on your undershirt, such as “Should I be here? Do I really need this?”, reminding yourself why you should control your shopping. When you are changing in the fitting room you will look at yourself in the mirror and rethink about why you are shopping.

It’s a simple idea that can bring a big change to your shopping habits.
Learn how to make your own Tee by watching the Video below.

We will love to hear your feedback, please let us know if it worked for you or any comments or thoughts you may have.

Shopping As Therapy By Pat Hyland

"Purchases require the processing of information in order to make a selection. Women possess certain innate skills. While men are the hunters, women are the gatherers, says Mary Symmes, a licensed social worker who specializes in women's issues. "Discrimination is built in, the ability to scan, analyze and make choices. Women tend to spend money to improve their environment, to add some quality to their life. It is part of self-care, direct self-care."

American psychologist Abraham Maslow has listed human motivation in the order of importance as physiological, safety, social, esteem and self-actualization needs. Symmes confirms that shopping fills some of those self-actualization needs."

Continue to read this article please click here.

Book

Book to help you

Clear Mind Clear Wallet

Reminder Wallet

Simple half size wallet, which contains messages that could encourage the compulsive shoppers positively, so that they can improve their shopping habits by simply using the wallet and remind them that they can get better. It is created with two wooden pieces, which are laser cut and connected by a zipper.

Any inquires on this wallet, please email our team at HealthyRetailTherapy@Gmail.com

Gift for my love

Psychology Today says “Arguments over money are the number one reason for relationship stress and break-ups.“ It’s never easy to tell your loved one that they have a problem such as a shopping addiction, and is hard to confront your partner without hurting their feelings, so what do you do?

Here is a perfect gift for your partner. This gift is a way for you to show your support, care, and love while also helping your partner remember to shop more responsibly.

This wallet is specially designed to help your partner stop themselves from spending impulsively. It has four zippers, which delay the process of paying and provide more time for her to rethink the purchase. Each zipper has a thoughtful, supportive message, such a:

I believe in U.
You will beat your shopping impulses.
You are in full control of your finances.
You know it’s never too late to stop.

Every time she opens the wallet, she will think of you and will feel very much supported and loved.

Any inquires on this wallet, please email our team at HealthyRetailTherapy@Gmail.com.

The real wallet

This particular wallet is designed for people who want or need to create more financial awareness when purchasing items compulsively. It requires personal commitment and time to physically create the wallet as a promise to yourself that you need to stop compulsively and irresponsibly buying items that you don’t need. The main point of this item is that as you open the wallet, you will see the balance of your bank or card statement so it makes you realize that you should not spend the money, and to remember the financial debt that you are in.

Try it today and please leave us comment, your thoughts are what counts the most!

Hello!

Welcome to Healthy Retail Therapy!

Healthy retail therapy is a design project, which focuses on helping women who suffer from compulsive buying behavior in a retail-shopping environment. This project is looking at where design can help compulsive shopper in retail environment and prevent the compulsive buyer from shopping.

This project also aims to change the cynical view that most people have of retail therapy, and to create awareness of compulsive disorders and shopping addiction. Healthy retail therapy is about feeling great and in being control over your shopping behavior and your life.

This blog also contains a lot of info on where to get help so stay tuned.

Please feel free to contact our team at Healthyretailthearphy@gmail.com.

Thanks you.
Healthy Retail Therapy team