I have first hand experience with this old issue with a new label, my daughter cannot walk by a shoe store without spending her last dime on yet another pair of shoes that will be heaped in the closet after being warn once.

Given the state of the economy and the role the consumer plays in helping any mounting recovery, this form of therapy probably has a number of benefits to the individuals involved, the shop keepers and society as a whole.  (Not to mention China)

Given the cost of professional therapy these days, it is likely to better fit in the budgets of the dwindling middle class. 

So it got me to thinking that perhaps there needs to be a study commissioned as to the quality of therapy by product type, is clothing better therapy than electronics?  Maybe this varies by gender? Is credit card overload more meaningful than cash purchases?  Is mall therapy more effective than street shop sessions?  Certainly if you look at northern cities like Chicago or Toronto, winter could be perceived as downer, having to deal with the snow, the wind chill and slush.  Or perhaps it is better quality therapy given the commitment once has to make in the face of those conditions, with the built in bonus of having to replace footwear more often give the circumstances. 

Wow, is my daughter leading edge fixating on shoes, or behind the curve not loading up on teeth whitener?  Man, I couldn’t handle being having a daughter so untrendy as to be on the downside of a rising trend, that in itself could lead to me needing therapy, it would have to be electronics for me, perhaps a binge at a curry hose; does food count, cause if it did it could end obesity as “the cause celeb” for fat celebrities. Can you just see it, Dr. Phil talking to a trendy anorexic confused by her need for therapy that come in the form of food.  HELP!!!

One thing I do like is the fact that if this “phenomenon” catches on, I can begin to submit the cost of my therapy sessions to my health insurance provider.  Being capitalist and concerned about my well being they of course would have no issues at reimbursing my need to deal overwhelming challenges of today’s complex world, especially using such an ultra chic method of therapy. Hmm, ultra chic, is that better than just chic, and even better than outlet mall therapy.  So confusing, I gotta head out to a shop and swallow the bitter pill.

I do feel sorry for the Americans, what if Obama gets his health care bill passed, and this form of therapy is not included?  I can’t deal with this right now; I am heading to Best Buy for some help.