There aren't many things I'm prepared to stay up until the early hours of the morning for, but a live online interview with April Lane Benson, Ph.D (pictured right) is definitely one of them.
April is one of America's top psychologists specialising in the treatment of compulsive buying disorder and is the author of two books on the subject. What she doesn't know isn't worth knowing, so I was thrilled when she asked me to take part in the hour long programme.
With April based in New York, we were clearly going to be working across different time zones, so on Friday 15th May at half past one in the morning with me pyjama clad and tucked up under a cashmere blanket with my terrier, Hobbs, we set about tackling the serious subject of shopping.
Having gone an entire year without shopping, it was fascinating to talk to other people about it, to hear their stories, how they tackled their compulsive behaviour and to take questions from those listening online about my previous 'excess all areas' lifestyle. I think the most important thing we all agreed on was that support was the key to success, either from your own network of friends and family, or through a specially organised group.
I'd advise anyone - shopaholic or otherwise - to have a look at April's site (www.stoppingovershopping.com) and to read her books - after you've read mine, of course!
Well done on keeping the shopping to a minimum for a whole year! I hope the recovering Stateside Shopaholics have given you a boost to keep going for another 12 months.
ReplyDeleteThey have, and just knowing that other people are working their way through similar issues, really gives you that little lift you need to stay on the right track.
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