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Drop Till You Shop - Page 2

© John McManamy

Famous shopaholics include:

• Elton John, who raised $615,000 for AIDS by selling some of the 15,000 suits, shoes, hats, and other items that once filled his closets.

• Former Philippines First Lady Emelda Marcos who left behind 200 girdles, 1,500 handbags, 500 black bras - one of them bullet-proof - 2,000 ball gowns, and her famous 1,500 pairs of shoes.

• Michael Jackson, whose lifestyle costs between $10,000 to $15,000 a day to maintain.

• And from the annals of history, Mary Todd Lincoln, widow of the sixteenth President, who bought 300 pairs of gloves at one time and was eventually committed by her son.

Ruth Engs RN, EdD of Indiana University puts compulsive shopping in the same class of addictive behaviors as drinking, gambling, and overeating. It tends to affect women more than men, some who black out and do not recall buying the articles. Often they have racks of clothes and possessions with the price tags still attached. To prevent shopping binges, she recommends:

• Pay for purchases by cash or check.
• Buy only what is on a shopping list.
• Destroy all but one credit card (for emergency use only).
• Stay clear of discount warehouses.
• Avoid phoning in catalogue orders.
• Don't watch TV shopping channels.
• Take a walk or exercise when the urge comes on.
• If you feel out of control, you probably are - seek help.

As for Elizabeth Roach, the judge sympathized with her condition. Ruling that Elizabeth suffered from diminished mental capacity that contributed to her crimes, he sentenced her to five years' probation, six months of weekends confined to her home, six weeks in a Salvation Army center, and fined her $30,000. Assuming she does not break the terms of her sentence and probation, Elizabeth will do no time behind bars.

Many cynics will argue that Elizabeth got off with a slap on the wrist, which would not have been the case with someone from another socioeconomic class, and that is probably true. But even the most lenient judge in the world cannot free her from her depression-fueled addiction. Sooner or later, Elizabeth is going to find herself in an upscale store and feel the urge to try on shoes or clothes or jewelry. Who would like to be in her Guccis when that happens?

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