from Yale University Medical School
New research into shopping addiction
comes from Norway, Britain and the
United States. Lead author Dr. Cecille
Andreassen, now at Yale University
Medical School, says technology has
made shopping extremely accessible and
convenient, with the potential of sending
problem shopping into overdrive. She
says women are more likely than men to
be shopping addicts. The researchers
have developed the Bergen Shopping
Addiction Scale to help diagnose the
disorder. Included are questions, such
as do you think about shopping or
buying most of the time? Do you use
shopping to change your mood? Do you
shop so much that it negatively affects
your daily obligations including family or
work. Dr. Andreassen say if you
answered yes to at least four of the
seven questions on the scale, it suggests
you are a shopping addict.