Compulsive(狂热的) shoppers may have a new psychological excuse to blame for their shopping. Psychologists at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand are studying the “shop-till-you-drop” habit as a behavioral disorder similar to compulsive eating. Compulsive shoppers frequently buy more than they can afford or more than they need, and it causes them anxiousness.
“ It becomes a problem when you are out of control,” psychology lecturer Neville Blampied said. “ When you are feeling bad and blue, what do you do? Some people eat chocolate cake and ice cream. Some people take the credit card and go out to the shop.” Bank managers understand the problem because they have to deal with people who have to be persuaded to stop using their cards drawing money.
An advertisement in a Christchurch paper, calling for people to take part in an experimental treatment program designed by Mr. Wilson, attracted 10 replies. But the problem, said Mr. Wilson, is “clearly not rare.” He thinks that compulsive shopping should be treated with drugs. “As psychologists We are interested in non-drug treatments for behavioral difficulties,” Mr. Wilson said.
Compulsive eaters or shoppers get a kick from their habit. “ Both activities provide an immediate kind of kick and you feel a bit better,” he said. “ You have long-term problems, but human beings are extremely good at not seeing long-term problem and are very sensitive to short-term benefits,” he said.
The aim of the treatments was to help people find better ways of managing their emotions. The program, consisting of 10 one-hour weekly lessons and two follow-up treatments, is loosely based on teaching stress management.
“ You often have to start to get people to correctly recognize their emotions. Not being able to know what you really feel weakens your ability to solve the problems.” Mr. Wilson said.
小题1:What is this article mostly about?
A．Signs of compulsive shopping.
B．Studies of compulsive shopping.
C．A comparison of shopping and eating.
D．An experimental treatment program.小题2:The compulsive shoppers will go shopping when they _.
A．have lots of money
B．are taking drugs
C．are feeling sad
D．win a prize小题3: Which of the following is considered important in treating compulsive shoppers?
A．Teach them to understand their emotions.
B．Teach them to manage their money better.
C．Persuade them not to draw money from the bank.
D．Treat them with some right drugs.小题4:When the writer says that compulsive shoppers get a kick from their habit, he means that they _.
A．feel anxious after their wild shopping
B．feel better after treatment from psychologists
C．are better able to deal with stress problems
D．have a feeling of excitement after shopping
