For most people, the name Imelda Marcos probably brings one image to mind –shoes. The wife of Philippino ex-president Ferdinand Marcos was famous for her shoe collection. She owned 3000 pairs of shoes, including a pair of plastic disco sandals with battery- operated flashing lights in the 8 cm heels! An advertisement on the window  of a New York shoe show  shop said ,”there is a little Imelda in all of us

But is there?

Does anyone need 3000 pairs of shoes?

Of course not ,but many people buy things not because they need them ,but impulsively, simply for the fun of buying .Like alcoholism or drugs abuse ,shopping can become an addiction ,and compulsive shoppers can’t stop themselves from buying things .It isn’t just silly behavior ;it is a psychological illness.

Compulsive shopping isn’t a new phenomenon. A German psychiatrist identified it nearly 100 years ago and called it oniomania (buying mania).Today we often refer to people who keep shopping as “shopaholics”. Estimates indicate that 2-8% of Americans are compulsive shoppers.

Many psychiatrists are now working to help compulsive shoppers recognize their problem and understand what makes them spend money.

Some psychiatrists recommend anti-depressant drugs like Prozac, but most prefer non-drug therapies .They first tell people to analyze why they shop – a feeling of power low self-esteem, etc .Then they advise them to keep a daily record of all the money they spend.

Finally, they encourage people to look for alternate forms of entertainment-reading, exercising, etc.

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