And McCall knew this was how she was dealing with her stress. She knew because, as one of the nation's leading financial counselors and founder of the Financial Recovery Counseling Institute in San Anselmo, Calif., dealing with clients' financial disorders is one of her main challenges. Mine was shopping. I have a history of buying handbags compulsively. Most people with financial disorders won't.
Financial disorders are money-related emotional problems.
Even as the economy chugs along, experts who treat these disorders say they're increasing. A decade ago, folks who let money get the better of them were, by and large, low earners living above their means. Today, even people earning six figures are affected. Overworked and overstressed, they overspend to make themselves feel better. Here's a look at the three most common disorders.