Are You Addicted? Print E-mail

The American Psychiatric Association says that a person is dependent if their pattern of abuse leads to clinically significant impairment or distress shown by three or more of the following in a 12-month period:

1. Tolerance as defined by any of the following:

  • a need for markedly increased purchases to achieve satisfaction or desired effect
  • markedly diminished effect with continued purchases of the same amount of antiques & collectibles

2. Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:

  • the characteristic withdrawal symptoms of estate sale purchases with purchases at closely related intervals
  • made to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms such as purchases at garage sales or thrift shops

3. The purchases are made in higher amounts or more often than was intended (loss of control)

4. There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control the purchases (loss of control)

5. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to attend estate sales or recover from its effects (preoccupation)

6. Important social, occupational or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of estate sale attendance (continuation despite adverse consequences)

7. The estate sale attendance is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the purchases (adverse consequences)