USA – An article on the Internet discussed essays published recently by the American Psychological Association that examine the causes and consequences of Americans' insatiable appetite for shopping. In these essays, psychologists have indicated the probable existence of a narcissistic personality disorder called Acquisitive Desire (A.D.) behind shopping sprees. The essays mention that often, the psychological disorder can be seen, for instance, when one buys expensive brand names.

    The authors maintained that experiences undermining basic psychological needs, such as affection, love, happiness, etc., lead to a materialistic value orientation. Such a materialistic orientation is an attempt to compensate for worries about one’s self-worth, ability to cope with challenges and safety in a relatively unpredictable world.

    Research is also increasingly demonstrating that people who strongly orient towards values such as money, possessions, image and status, report lower subjective well-being. For example, adolescents with a strong materialistic value orientation report lower self-worth and vitality, as well as more depression, anxiety, narcissism, drug use, and lower than normal productivity. Adolescents who admire others because of their possessions are at an increased risk for personality disorders like Acquisitive Disorder that induce one to go on shopping splurges.

    It was mentioned that Acquisitive Desire is a disorder similar to substance abuse and eating disorders. Its symptoms include compulsive shopping, hoarding, greed, purchasing or collecting objects, and the neurotic pursuit of possessions. Some psychologists even felt that conspicuous consumption stems from a fear of death and supported this conclusion with both historical record and contemporary empirical research.