So that they don't ask for a loan: a pensioner spent thousands of dollars on purchases that she hides in a rented apartment (3 photos)

A Shanghai woman spent over 2 million yuan online shopping, rented an apartment to store her purchases, and sparked a debate in China about the mental health of the elderly.





A 66-year-old Shanghai woman is making headlines in China after she spent over 2 million yuan (about $280,000) online shopping. She had to rent an apartment to store her purchases because of the amount of goods she had.

The woman, named Wang, lives alone in Jiading. Over the years, she has bought a huge amount of things through online platforms. Most of the purchases remain unpacked, cluttering up her home and turning it into a warehouse.

Neighbors often complain about the unpleasant smell, as well as insects that are attracted to the disorder in Wang's apartment.

According to the woman herself, she is addicted to online shopping and gets excited when she spends money. Wang also notes that she deliberately spends money so as not to lend money to relatives and friends.



"I once sold my apartment in the city center and moved to the suburbs. People think I have a lot of money left. To avoid being asked to borrow money, I spend it all on shopping. When they see piles of stuff, they realize I have nothing to share," says Wang.

She does most of her shopping during live broadcasts. Her favorite categories are cosmetics, health supplements, and gold jewelry.

The goods in her house are stacked to the ceiling. The woman admits that she has nowhere to sleep because there is no space. Even her underground garage is completely filled with shopping. A few months ago, she rented another apartment - just to store bags.



According to a representative of the local housing committee, Wang's daughter lives abroad, and other relatives have shown little interest in her life. Last year, the committee organized a cleaning with the woman's consent, but the hoarding problem only worsened.

Psychiatrists in Shanghai note that such behavior is often associated with depression and social anxiety. According to doctor Yan Feng from the Shanghai Mental Health Center, treating hoarding syndrome is a long and difficult process.

In the comments to the story, social media users note:

"The root of her problem is loneliness."

"Young people should take better care of their elderly relatives."