Dear Amy: My husband is a compulsive spender. He buys vehicles and will hide them and never drive them.
For many years, he has blamed bipolar disorder as the cause of his behavior.
I understand that bipolar disorder can lead to impulsive spending. However, I think there’s a problem more than bipolar, because he lies so much about his behavior.
Things get out of control, then he will admit what’s going on, and then within a year he will do it again.
He now has a truck and has purchased another one. I drive a leased SUV, and he is currently hiding a Camaro.
Does bipolar disorder cause the spending and the lies? I would love to know.
— Concerned Wife
Dear Concerned: Given that your husband makes these purchases, and somehow manages to hide them, (perhaps by renting storage units) and never use them, yes — I’d say that he has a very real problem, which he seems to cycle in and out of.
Now what? Let’s say that his bipolar disorder is driving this behavior. Will he seek treatment? A new Camaro costs over $60,000. Committing to treatment would be a much better investment.
It is no doubt frustrating for you to cope with this. Urge your husband to seek a diagnosis and treatment, and to stick with the treatment.
