Professor Dr Adnan Fadhli
Psychiatrist
"In Dubai we have more than 40 malls, so the ratio of malls to people is very high in comparison to other places. Shopping is a form of amusement for many people, we are all part of this consumer society. However, some do suffer from a compulsion.
"This phenomenon can fall into a number of categories, but some people who compulsively shop may have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which can manifest itself in over-eating, theft, shopping or other compulsions.
"Recent studies have shown that some people also shop when depressed, to find solace. Many people find comfort in filling their trolleys and feel it is a way to overcome their depression.
I would say that people who have a shopping compulsion disorder either have depression, suffer from OCD or a personality disorder. Every mental disorder is multi-factorial.
"I have treated people for the disorder, many of whom have sought help after family members complained about their shopping compulsion. However, behind that compulsion there is normally a history of depression, which manifests itself in this manner."
Vibha Dania
Personal Shopper/Stylist, Fashionista, Personal Shopping Services
"The average person will have a monthly budget of Dh1,500 and some people have no budget at all. My clients vary from people who have no time and too much money to mothers who send me their teenage sons because they can't stand the way they dress.
"Sometimes I'll go two days before and pick things out for clients coming from Saudi. The bulk of my clients are Europeans, followed by UAE nationals and then Asians.
"I have one shopaholic client who just buys so much they need me to do a wardrobe makeover. I heard of a Russian woman who closed up one store for a day and spent $300,000 (Dh1.1 million)!
"I do see people in January walking a round with big jackets and boots just to make that fashion statement even if they're boiling inside and in cafes there are always people way over-dressed - but that's Dubai. I have male and female clients.
"Shopping is not a luxury; it's for everyone. Everybody needs to dream about owning that really nice watch or purse. The mall is a place for retail therapy and it does fill the void and offer a place to go with the kids or for a meal."
Dr Mohammad Aboelenein
Chair - Department of Sociology, United Arab Emirates University
"Shopping has never been a therapy in the scientific meaning of the word. Yet people tend to think that shopping might take the person away from his or her problems, or it might give them some feeling of relief. We have never heard of a psychiatrist asking his/her patient to get rid of their complexes by shopping.
"The scientific analysis of the shopping phenomenon as we see it today has to do with a set of factors such as purchasing power; the role of the media and the development of marketing techniques and the expansion of shopping centres and malls.
"They become attractive and hot spots for people from all walks of life. People who work hard during the day might prefer to spend an hour or so just wandering around a mall. A culture of consumerism exists in almost every society nowadays."
