General Is This Typical With Ptsd

[Glara]

Just wondering if excessive spending, or materialism is typical with PTSD.

In this particular case I suspect it's some type of over compensation for growing up without much. Especially since the PTSD is due to childhood trauma. When he collects something of interest the collections are huge, thousands of records and CDs, buying excessively to customize his car, things like that. He works obsessively as well.

Does this sound like some type of over-compensation that is related to PTSD, or possibly another issue all together?

 

[BlueOrange]

I like spending money. It gives me a feeling of power and control. So does overachieving at work.

It's entirely possible that it's a coping mechanism. What changes in your mind if it's a coping mechanism or not? Isn't the impact on you the same, either way?

 

[anthony]

is typical with PTSD

No... not related.

I suspect it's some type of over compensation for growing up without much.

That is the usual reason why people shop / have significant pride in things they own.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Its not typical with PTSD, but then again, just about anything can become a bad coping mechanism.

 

[ghotiff]

I don't know about how it fits with PTSD but you might find useful reading up on the psychology of hoarding (which is like extreme unhealthy collecting). I'm not saying they are a hoarder, but there are interesting psychological reasons why people hoard which are usually linked to loss. PTSD / trauma changes you and is a form of loss. It might give you some insights.

 

[bell]

Things like overspending can also be a sign of mania. Does he overspend all the time or just some of the time? If it's the former, it's probably just a bad coping mechanism (but not necessarily PTSD related). If it's the latter, it could be an emotional swing into mania, which is a totally different problem... and meaning he could also have similar manic patterns during these times as well.