A serious condition...

otherwise known as

AADD: Antiques Attention Deficit Disorder.

Affecting thousands of people around the globe this disorder is becoming more common.

People dealing with the disorder feel the need to frequently shop for antiques at the following locations which includes but is not limited to:

antiqes malls, thrift shops, yard sales, flea markets, and estate sales.

Initially the affected individual enters an antique store, or other antique filled venue, in search of antique treasures and is immediately overwhelmed by the array of antiques and collectibles rendering them inattentive and oblivious to anyone around them.

(following pics from Broad Street Antique Mall, Chamblee, Ga)

The antique overload leads to a moment of anxiety when one must decide between what is a 'want' or a 'need'.

A 'want' is something that one wants whereas a need is a necessity thus...

in order to alleviate the 'wantedness' one 'needs' to purchase the wanted item!

or in some cases multiple items.

As one of my dear friends always says, when shopping you should only carry as much as you can hold in your hands.

Of course, it is always wise to shop at those lovely antique stores where the kind employees frequently take your items to the front counter allowing you the freeedom to refill your hands as you continue shopping.

Are you still with me on this?

I have found the technique of 'Desensitization' is immensley helpful for this disorder.

Desensitization requires the affected individual to face their problem head-on, in other words,

continue shopping until the fear and anxiety is reduced...

oops, that's the technique for fear of shopping, I forgot, we're dealing with AADD.

(but this seems like a good approach all the same:).

(following pics from Antiques in Old Town, Lilburn Ga)

According to the DSM (Diagnostic Shopping Manual),

other AADD symptoms include loosing all track of time when shopping,

experiencing feelings of elation when locating that amazing antique at a bargain price,

unusual sleep patterns which include rising at the crack of dawn in order to arrive first at yard sales, estate sales, or flea markets,

sudden urges to knock someone out of the way in order to get to that glorious treasure that completes your collection (even though you know in your heart that your collection will never be complete:).

One should seek immediate assistance when the disorder escalates to a wrestling match over the ultimate antique find (assistance from a good friend is usually the best answer unless of course you are wrestling with your good friend for the antique find).

(following pics of Scotland Yard Antiques in Lawrenceville, Ga)

Those dealing with AADD tend to feel overwhelmed by the abundance of antique treasures requiring multiple visits, usually within the week or in more serious cases in a day, in order to take it all in.

The most affective way to deal with AADD is to avoid the temptation to shop for antiques which generally means stay away from locations where antiques are sold.

Mind you, this could lead to other serious conditions such as...

a significant reduction in antiques sales thus leading to the closure of the antique store.

This in turn causes unemployment for the antiques dealer(s)...

which has a negative impact on the economy!

This can mean only one thing...

DON'T BE SELFISH! SHOP at your local antiques stores as often as you want and buy all of the wonderful things that you want/need!

Who cares about the Antiques Attention Deficit Disorder?

By continuing your shopping sprees you are supporting local businesses and business owners, helping the economy, and beautifying your home all at the same time! Everyone wins!

That doesn't sound so bad now, does it?

For more information on this disorder and other shopping disorders consult the Diagnostic Shopping Manual.

Related conditions include:

OCCD-Obsessive China Collecting Disorder

CED-Collecting Everything Disorder

AAD-Antiques Anxiety Disorder

For help with these disorders consider attending an ASC meeting (Antiques Shoppers Club:).

Happy shopping:).