Online CE Courses

Compulsive Buying
An introduction of compulsive buying as a psychological disorder.

Continuing Education Hours: 3

Ron Faber, Ph.D.
Ron Faber is a professor of advertising and mass communication at the University of Minnesota.

Course Description:

For many years, compulsive buying was viewed as a moral failing of weak willed people. Society tended to view it as a joke rather than a serious problem. This perspective is not at all unlike society's treatment of alcoholism 50 or 75 years ago. We have come to understand alcoholism as a disease and that people suffering from it need help in treating and overcoming this addiction, be it through therapy, self-help groups, or pharmaceutical treatment. Today compulsive buying disorder or compulsive shopping disorder is going through a similar social transition.

This course introduces compulsive buying as a psychological disorder, providing a definition and criteria for diagnosis in the clinical setting. Conceptualization of compulsive buying, based upon review of the current literature, is presented. Commonly used assessment tools are discussed. Research on prevalence, characteristics of compulsive buyers and comorbidity is offered. Etiology theories and treatment strategies are reviewed.

This continuing education course is designed to help you:

1. Discuss criteria utilized to identify compulsive buying;
2. Explain how compulsive buying is typically conceptualized as a psychological disorder;
3. Describe assessment tools and techniques for identifying compulsive buying;
4. Discuss therapeutic techniques to address compulsive buying in the clinical setting.

Approvals

APA, NASW, NBCC, NAADAC, CA Board of Registered Nurses, CA BBS, Ohio Social Work