Tuesday, April 6, 2010

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:).

26 comments:

The Creative Bohemian said...

I have the same disorder...LOL, but thanksfully my budget does not allow me to indulge as much as my "condition" wants me to.

Sweet Old Vintage said...

What a store full of goodies... Good thing I am just viewing them on your post... A couple of those hats were very desirable...

Bonnie said...

OMG - how I wish I was there as well. I loved that floppy hat with the flowers on it. So many lovely things! Thanks for sharing.

Jane, at Thepaperaffair said...

I'm fairly certain I have this condition! hugs, Jane

Terra said...

Your disorder sounds like it gives you lots of fun. I love the cameos and the dainty straw hat, there is something here for everyone.

Deanna said...

I am in trouble...it's possible to have more than one of these disorders....ouch!!!

Funn post. Enjoyed this.
Great places to shop.

Seriously yours!
d

Anonymous said...

At last someone has put a name to this!!!! LOL!! Now maybe it is treatable......ROFLMBO!!
Love,
Marilyn

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Kim! Thanks for the little shopping trip! I definitely suffer from some of those disorders. I am also a sufferer of CGWSD...compulsive Goodwill shopper's disorder...lol! Happy weekend...hugs...Debbie

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Loved this post!! Absolutely entertaining!! And gorgeous!! Love seeing this great place!!
Debbie

Bumpkin Hill said...

He He, I certainly have this disorder and it would be even 'worse' in those shops, I loved the lace trims on the pillows - so pretty. Catherine x

crochet lady said...

Funny, I guess it's all in perspective? I had that disorder for awhile but thank goodness it is dissipating. I looked around and realized that I just didn't need any more stuff. Once in awhile there are still a few things that call to me. I am a sucker for kitchen ware, especially enamelware, jewelry (mostly pins) and old books.

Paula said...

Oh my dear Kim,

You make me laugh so much!!! I LOVED this fantastic post and can relate 100% to all you wrote. I especially loved the part about continuing to shop at antique stores to support the local economy and keep them employed! This is so true, as one of our favorite local antique stores is really struggling!!!! I would hate to loose them, so just the other day, my sweet hubby dropped by to pick up a few things I saw when we were in there over the weekend! :)

You have such beautiful antique stores to visit. All of your gorgeous photos were filled with gorgeous things!!!! Thank you so much for sharing Kim! You are a fantastic writer and photographer!!!

Love to you sweet friend,
Paula

Debby said...

What a beautiful and fun post. I have many of these problems. YIKES!!!
Thanks for sharing.
debby

Terra said...

Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. I LOVE that your home is named Terra Cottage. By the way, your header photo featuring the red chair is gorgeous.
I admire Victorian things, wrote 2 articles for "Victorian Homes", but my own home is not in that style.
One of my articles was about how to select and grow Victorian roses.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh my goodness, I know that I have this disorder! But like you said, this supports our locals and I am ALL FOR THAT!!!! YEAH! And thank you dear for coming to visit with me today!

HAVE FUN!!! Anita

Callie Magee Antiques said...

Wonderfully clever post. Keep it up!! I really can identify.
Lois

Melissa/Piney Rose said...

So funny! Boy, can I relate!

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

Kim....Yes, yes and yes...100% true of me ...I have this "condition"...it is rarely CURABLE I am told....so I am not even going to try. NOR am I going to lose ANY sleep over it.
( Lauging so hard )
BTW...My grandson-in-law is from Lilburn, GA. Have never been to his home town.
I want most of what you have shown here, but mostly I want that straw hat that they show on top of the white blouse or dress.


Rose

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

P.S. Also these are ALL "needful" things...and we never have to necessarily have a place to PUT them.... after we aquire them..or for that matter... a real USE for them.

Just knowing that you "NEED" them is enough.

OH WE ARE SO "SICK" !!!


Rose

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Kim,

I adore all the beautiful antiques you have shown today.
I would want to buy everything there too, and looks like a lot of us have this disorder.

Have a happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

LOL!!! Great post.....I agree with your logic...it would be selfish not to shop for antiques!
Of course, I'm pretty sure that I suffer from all the disorders that you had listed...so I might be biased ! :-)

Pam of Eastlake Victorian said...

Kim-

OMG, this is the best post ever (ROFL)!! I do believe I have AADD, and the other maladies you mention as well, especially CED. I'm trying to kick these dreaded disorders, and am getting some relief with SOM (shortage of money). I've found a great therapy called "Blogging", in which the individual takes up writing about said Antiques instead of acquiring them. The downside to this therapy is that the individual may become covetous of her Blog friends' Antiques, making the urge to venture to an Antique store/fair even more tempting.

:)

-Pam

TiffanyJane said...

Laughing!.....that is tooo Funny :)
I think I have some of those disorders!
That store sure has some pretty things! Esp. love those hats!

Karen said...

What a glorious post! I was laughing so hard . . . but yet, how funny can it be when when you were describing all of my ". . . orders" to a T? You are the first to ever be able to diagnose everything in ONE SHOT!
I'm not sure if I should thank you or not . . . now you've given my AADD an itch that I feel needs to be scratched TODAY!
And I happen to be off today . . .
:)Karen