Confessions of a shopaholic

How many times have you caught yourself feeling like Rebecca Bloomwood from the film “Confessions of a Shopaholic”? A New York City girl who is just really good at shopping -a little too good perhaps.

We are surrounded by advertisements telling us that buying materialistic things will make us happy and encouraged by politicians to spend as a way of boosting the economy.

Like Bloomwood’s talent for shopping, Rudy Lee, a second-year student at Ryerson University, also enjoys spending his time and money on shopping. “A regular shopping day for me is every day. I go shopping whenever I can,” says Lee.

Omniomania, compulsive shopping (or what’s more commonly referred to as shopping addictions), is perhaps the most socially reinforced of the behavioural addictions.

Many say they feel pressured by society to spend more money on materialistic things.

Bradley MacInnis, a friend of Lee’s, says that he feels the media has a large impact on Rudy’s spending habits.

The Medical Review Board says that the difference between normal shopping and shopping addictions is that shopping becomes the person’s main way of dealing with stress.

Lee says, “I’d like to think of myself as a shopping enthusiast rather than someone who might have a bit of a problem.”

Lee says he spends anywhere from $1500 to $3500 when he is out shopping.

MacInnis says, “Rudy loves expensive things, things I would never even consider unless I won the lottery. You don’t want to go bankrupt when you have more than enough clothing to wear.”