Bonus Post: Hyperacquisitive Wealth Obsession Disorder (HWOD)

A few days ago, Christopher Colt wrote on his social media: “In a sane world, the phenomenon of humans collecting for themselves obscene amounts of wealth would be studied and treated as some form of mental illness. Instead, we worship them, making them into celebrities and leaders.” So, I decided to propose the hypothetical foundation for the categorical and dimensional aspects of Hyperacquisitive Wealth Obsession Disorder (HWOD) as a potential source of inspiration for the American Psychiatric Association. Have a laugh or don’t!

1. Disorder Descriptions

Hyperacquisitive Wealth Obsession Disorder (HWOD) is characterized by an intense and pathological craving for wealth accumulation far beyond practical or societal needs. Individuals with HWOD exhibit delusions of self-made success, devaluation of others’ labor, and disregard for ethical, environmental, and societal well-being when pursuing personal gain. Some variations include obsessive desires for fame and power, with behaviors aimed at ensuring they remain the center of attention. Men with HWOD may display comorbidities like erectile dysfunction or penile atrophy.

Key Features:

• Persistent belief in their sole responsibility for their wealth, ignoring systemic, institutional, or interpersonal contributions.
• Dehumanization of others and exploitation of resources or labor to achieve personal goals.
• Intense anxiety or dissatisfaction when wealth or power does not increase rapidly.
• Potential comorbidities with sexual or physical dysfunctions, including penile atrophy or erectile dysfunction, in some subtypes.

2. Diagnostic Criteria

To meet the criteria for HWOD, an individual must exhibit at least five (5) of the following symptoms over six months or longer:

1. Obsessive preoccupation with accumulating more wealth, regardless of current financial security.
2. Frequent devaluation of others’ struggles, labor, or contributions.
3. Delusional belief that wealth was attained without help from institutions, luck, or other people.
4. Intense dissatisfaction when wealth or assets do not grow as expected.
5. Disregard for ethical, environmental, or societal consequences of personal gain.
6. Craving for fame or attention, often pursuing public admiration to bolster self-image.
7. Manipulation of others or systems to maximize personal wealth.
8. Symptoms of physical or sexual dysfunction (optional specifier).

Duration and Impact:

• While symptoms do not cause distress to the individual, they have significant impact on others (e.g., societal harm, exploitation, family conflicts).
• Behaviors must result in impairment in relationships, ethical functioning, or the individual’s ability to act within societal norms.

3. Severity Levels

Mild: Manages significant wealth accumulation with occasional disregard for ethics but still maintains some personal or professional boundaries.

Moderate: Frequently disregards ethical considerations, devalues others’ contributions, and displays delusions of self-made success, causing noticeable harm in personal and professional domains.

Severe: Fully consumed by wealth accumulation, disregards the well-being of entire communities or nations, and engages in unethical or destructive behaviors to maintain or grow wealth and power.

4. Manifestations and Variations

Cultural Considerations:

• In cultures that highly value individualism, HWOD may manifest more subtly, with delusional beliefs about self-reliance emphasized.
• In collectivist cultures, symptoms might include exploiting communal resources for personal gain.

Age-Related Variations:

• Younger Individuals: May demonstrate symptoms through obsessive pursuit of social media fame and influence, often equating popularity with success. Behaviors may include excessive self-promotion, exploitation of peers or followers, and relentless comparison to others in their social or professional circles.
• Older Individuals: Tend to focus on controlling industries, resources, or political systems, often leading to destructive outcomes. This can include environmental degradation, exploitation of entire communities, or monopolistic practices. Additionally, many older individuals with this disorder experience a strong sense of nihilism and despair, stemming from a belief that their wealth and power have not provided fulfillment or purpose. This despair often manifests as cruelty and abuse of power, directed toward subordinates, competitors, or even entire nations, with a disregard for long-term consequences or ethical considerations.

5. Disorder Subtypes

1. Monetary Dominance Subtype: Focuses solely on wealth accumulation, disregarding all societal or ethical concerns. Individuals with this subtype are fixated on growing their financial resources and assets at any cost, often rationalizing harmful or exploitative behavior as necessary for success.
2. Power and Fame Subtype: Seeks to be the center of attention, with symptoms of intense fame-seeking and public admiration. This subtype thrives on the perception of control and influence, frequently engaging in grandiose displays and actions to maintain a public image of superiority.
3. Exploitative Subtype: Specializes in manipulation and exploitation of others or systems to grow wealth and power. Individuals in this subtype often excel at leveraging others’ vulnerabilities, institutional loopholes, or unethical practices to achieve their goals, with little regard for the harm caused.
4. Coercive and Abusive Subtype: Represents individuals who have lost their capacity to be attractive to others and resort to coercion, manipulation, or abuse to initiate encounters with others. This subtype often displays behaviors driven by entitlement, cruelty, and disregard for consent, using power, wealth, or threats to compel relationships or interactions. These behaviors are often accompanied by a deep sense of inadequacy and resentment, further fueling abusive tendencies.

6. Dimensional and Categorical Approach

While this disorder is not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, its conceptualization includes both categorical elements (specific criteria for diagnosis) and dimensional aspects (severity and spectrum of behaviors). Regular individuals could use tools such as their consumer power, ability to delete apps, and their vote to address such issues in their communities.

I will see you tomorrow!