Shopaholic, or Bipolar Spectrum?

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Thursday, April 4. 2013

Shopaholic, or Bipolar Spectrum?

Reading Buzz Bissinger's confession, My Gucci Addiction, I would have to seriously consider the Bipolar possibility were I his doctor:

In the past few years, I've bought eighty-one leather jackets. Dozens of boots and leather gloves. I've purchased pants that cost $5,000. I own a $22,000 coat. This winter I took a tour of Milan's Fashion Week (all expenses paid by Gucci, in appreciation of my many, many purchases), where I spent tens of thousands more and began to seriously grapple, once and for all, with a compulsion that could cost me more than just my life savings. My name is Buzz Bissinger. I am 58 years old, the best-selling author of 'Friday Night Lights,' father of three, husband. And I am a shopaholic.

Not everybody who does crazy things has a diagnosis, but unless Mr. Bissinger has inherited $100 million, somebody ought to try to stop him before he blows himself up. It does not sound like his wife is likely to do that.

Posted by Dr. Joy Bliss in Our Essays, Psychology, and Dr. Bliss, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 16:45 | Comments (10) | Trackbacks (0)

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Agreed. When you have real skills and some cash, you can protect yourself from your illness for a longer period - much as a brilliant or rich alcoholic can continue to function in most realms. But the rent eventually comes due.

It isn't pretty.

#1 Assistant VIllage Idiot (Link) on 2013-04-04 17:48 (Reply)

I would think, were you his therapist, you would reassure him that he is just a product of his environment....a $22K overcoat....I mean....when does he wear it? Would that question even enter the "therapy"?

#2 brobro on 2013-04-04 18:58 (Reply)

I wasn't going to read that, but I mentioned it to my wife and she wanted to hear more. All I can say is he looks pretty much just like I expected. I don't think he's bi-polar [I am not a psychologist or a psychiatrist], but he sure seems insecure and making up for something.

I'd say he was a teenage/early 20s wannabe and now that he has [at least temporarily] lots of money he is trying to recreate his youth in the image he would have preferred back then. #epicfail

I'm guessing he thinks he looks hip. I think [but I have zero fashion sense] he looks pathetic. I actually feel sorry for him.

And the whole article is a sort of weird self-ego stroking. Wow.

#3 JorgXMcKie on 2013-04-04 19:57 (Reply)

I read Friday Night Lights and liked the football parts more than the judgemental parts.

When I first heard this story, I thought it was an April Fool's joke. Shame for him that it isn't. I hope he can manage his obsession. Sounds like an expensive one.

#4 Dangerous Dean on 2013-04-04 23:04 (Reply)

Gucci: Pronounced Gooky.

#5 Sam L. on 2013-04-04 23:12 (Reply)

he reminds me of the male whore in American Giggolo except Richard Gere's character was less of a cartoon.

#6 wirraway on 2013-04-04 23:59 (Reply)

I am not a psychologist. I am a butcher and a mechanical designer by trade and avocation.
But I know some things.
This man has some serious mental health issues. It is not normal to pay 5000 dollars for an item of clothing. It is not normal to own 81 leather jackets. I do not care how money one has. I would venture a guess that neither Warren Buffet nor Bill Gates own such an extravagence of clothing.
This is an individual who has some seriously deep seated issues of sexuality and of normality. Bi-polar? perhaps. I have a step daughter who suffers from that particular malady who cannot be trusted with a checkbook. This is much more serious.
I would venture that we are dealing with a closeted homosexual with mainc /depressive traits who also suffers from extreme impulse control issues. He mentions that his wife is concerned with his spending habits, but omits that she is probably also concerned with the men he chooses to pal around with.
He really isn't looking for help. He is looking for justification. Rationalization if you will. I do not judge him. He can do whatever he pleases with his life and his wealth. But I pity him. He is totally un self-aware. He probably doesn't even realize how unhappy and sick he actaully is.

#7 Jeffersonian on 2013-04-05 00:48 (Reply)

That article goes well with this one:
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/comment/articles/2013-03/11/top-tables-new-york-restaurants-dining-scene

It's beginning to seem as if the "Coastal Elites" [well, the men especially] are re-creating the last few years in France before the French Revolution. All angsty about how to signal their elite-level position.

They must be terrified.

#8 JorgXMcKie on 2013-04-05 12:42 (Reply)

Poor mixed up guy. It's weird that he feels sexy in all those goofy clothes because most straight women aren't attracted to men who fuss too much and spend too much on their own appearance, assuming them to be narcissists, gay or bi. I mean, he might be an interesting friend, but he's too hung up on himself and wasting money on frigging clothes to have much to offer anyone else. Obsessed with himself the way people always obsess on a bad love affair.

Perhaps simply a substitute addiction? Many people who give up booze or drugs become addictive shoppers or gamblers or smokers, etc. Or just an escape (duh). Middle age can be disappointing.

On another level, it's harmless. Enriches Gucci, and all those salespeople. Better than doing drugs or screwing around. If he can afford it, while still meeting his responsibilities to his family, who is anyone to snark? (I wouldn't want anyone analyzing my own expenditures on camera equipment...)

#9 retriever on 2013-04-05 13:39 (Reply)

Is his obsession any different than Jay Leno's fascination with cars? If they can afford it, they can flaunt it. You go girl! (I mean, guy!)

#10 Agent Cooper on 2013-04-06 00:56 (Reply)

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Thursday, April 4. 2013

Shopaholic, or Bipolar Spectrum?