Compulsive buying affects men same as women, say researchers from Stanford University, USA.

Compulsive shoppers enjoy the thrill of shopping and browsing for the things. This short episode of "high," or acute enjoyment, is followed by distress and remorse when the person realizes that money were basically wasted. About 5% of adults in the USA say they cannot refrain from shopping for stuff they probably don't want or need.

Traditionally only women were reported to suffer from compulsive buying disorder, but this happened mainly because women were also more likely to admit to shopping to relieve stress.

A new study published in American Journal of Psychiatry, reveals that people with lower incomes suffer from compulsive shopping more than people with higher incomes.

6% of women 5.5% of men are compulsive buyers, the study estimated, with more than $50,000 per year spent by compulsive buyers on CDs, books, tools, gadgets, computer stuff and cameras for men, and clothes, make-up, articles for the home and jewelry for women.

The study also revealed that male compulsive shoppers are more likely to become addicted to auctions similar to eBay than female compulsive shoppers.

At the end of the day, compulsive shoppers don't feel any happier after their shopping spree. Instead, many sufferers experience serious debt, remorse and shame. That's why it is not uncommon for the sufferer to hide his/her addiction from family and friends