i'm not up for the research on a new disorder, but this one sounds like what i psychotheraputed under "social anxiety." in my own therapy support circles, it might be one of the most common opportunistic infections of just about every mental health dysfunction in the book(s). to my sense, it is even more natural than falling down when i am drunk.

butttttaaaa, butttttaaa, buttttttaaaaa. . .

that doesn't diminish the value of making that list of questions to discuss with your therapist. whatever the name or theory, it be a buger bear to live with. coping strategies advised.

steadying support while you sort. hope healing happens here.

Thanks arfie! It's really not something that is bothering me now but it is something that I have never fully understood that happened to myself when I was 19 and in my first dating experience. There are a couple facets to the situation. If it didn't happen, I probably would have married the guy and had a family. The whole thing was tragic and brought on full-blown OCD. I have never been the same since. If you would have told me that I would ever have mental problems, I would have said you were crazy. Today, I am having a great day. I'm working on conquering my kitchen table. How is your day going arfie?

So proud of you that you have stayed out of Goodwill! This is a real accomplishment. Like you said, the eBay thing may just be another way to spend money for that "high" that I always feel. That feel good thing inside.

They have an acronym FOMO, fear of missing out.

It is the time of year I try to find cold weather clothing because I wear out most of my last. years's cold weather stuff. But this year, I only purchased two fleece pants instead of 3. I do wear thin cotton leggings most of the time here in this hot land due to my arthritis and knee pain. Wearing shorts or capris doesn't help my knee pain but keeping the hips and knees and ankles warm does. So I feel like I am not keeping up my vow to not shop but also not wanting to have decent looking legging types of pants to go out of the house in.

I too have an online shopping addiction so I get it. I tried to delete the apps but after a few months i got them back and got into more trouble. I break even at the end of each month but I need to curb my spending for sure. I hope therapy goes well for you

hasty, thank you so much! A little bit ago, I was thinking that I probably missed out on good stuff at Goodwill today so yeah, FOMO for a minute. But I was not about to go. That would be ridiculous. It doesn't sound like you over purchased. It sounds like you have everything down to a science. Sunshine, think back on what made you stop for a while. Write down your thoughts around it. Ask yourself why you do it. Are you bored or lonely? Do you need the things that you buy? Are they still in packages? Are you using them? Do you have room for them? I took some things back to Kohl's and got credit, which I spent more wisely. For me, it started with me going to Goodwill with my brother when the Sunday deals were $1. Before that, I had a very limited wardrobe because of my weight. So I went crazy. Then, Goodwill changed their deals to $2 and $3 so I slowed down. But then I went through two seasons of yard sales and about this time last year, got addicted to Kohl's. I was also spending about an hour at Dollar General almost every Saturday to save $5 on $25. I also stocked up on groceries. I have slowed down on that front. I was raised to get deals and save money. I also like nice clothes. After years of being overweight, it was exciting to buy cute, smaller sized clothes. It may sound like I'm making excuses but these are the facts. I really do not have an excuse to buy another thread of clothing. I asked you if your purchases were open because I had a lot of unopened packages which I have been opening since yesterday. I still have some small packages which I assume are jewelry. I kind of like the thrill of not knowing. Well, I am letting it all hang out! My cat just crawled on me. So keep writing hasty and Sunshine! I love your replies!