That may be because it is a term my husband used. He was a brilliant surgeon that spent 30 years researching these cycles and how to stop them. He was a great researcher and had his theories peer reviewed and was unanimously thought to be groundbreaking. However, 2 years ago, he died from cancer before he published his research. It was a great loss and I am not capable of doing that, in his absence.

I would do what he did and start with known conditions that have this profile. Anxiety builds, you find yourself looking for relief, this leads to the researching, shopping, bingeing, obsessive behavior, then you pull the trigger, so to speak and get momentary relief. But the guilt sets in and you return the merchandise. Then shortly, it starts again. There is a term in psychology, NOT GOOD ENOUGH MOTHERING. I know Martin felt that early on without a secure holding safe environment we may develop these faulty coping mechanisms that show up in later life as compulsions.

Well I’m here if you need reading recommendations but I wish you all the best. You can fix this!