According to a researcher at Auckland University, psychic phone line addicts, are spending up to NZ$33,000 per year (US$26,500) to seek guidance on their finances, their love life and other burning issues from psychics, tarot card readers, astrologers and other telephone hotline services. The average expenditure is in the range of NZ$6,000-7,000 (US$4,770-5,565).
Dr Robin-Marie Shepherd, from the Centre for Gambling Studies at University of Auckland is conducting global research into users of psychic hotlines. Preliminary data from approximately 30 regular phone line users has been analysed to date.
“Users of psychic hotlines seem to demonstrate a number of addictive behaviours,” says Dr Shepherd of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. “Regular users talk of relapsing or needing a fix, and many exhibit signs of anxiety or depression. This study is looking at why people call psychics and whether this behaviour should be viewed as addictive and require policymakers to take notice.”I suspect many users were exhibiting signs of anxiety or depression prior to phoning. From my discussions with users and providers of psychic hotline services, the majority of callers are lonely, sad or facing difficult decisions. Many use psychic hotlines in place of counsellors to provide guidance in life issues, or when they are in need of someone to fill them with hope about the future.
Dr Shepherd is looking for more psychic phone line users to participate in this global study. She's also interested in hearing from people who work for psychic hotlines or others involved in the industry. You can contact Dr Shepherd via email or telephone +64 (0)9 373 7599 ext 86573.
I agree that it's depression and loneliness that drives these psychic hotline users to begin with. Most people who get depressed will most likely look for any way to lessen their feeling of depression.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad. Those people probably just need someone to talk to and the service is costing them a lot of money.
ReplyDeleteI think you're both right. It's a very expensive way to find a friend...
ReplyDeleteI was a psychic line addict...it began when I was devestated at the loss of a relationship and found myself spiraling down into a deep depression. I'm highly educated so although the idea of spending thousands on a pschic may seem crazy, you do not rationalize clearly what you are doing or the ramifications that will follow. You want reassurance and hope. Like any other addict you look for that sense of relief. For me it became like a drug and I became addicted to the false sense of hope that these cons offered. Thankfully I woke up but only after coming to the brink of emotional and financial ruin. They prey on the vulnerable and that is a dreadful shame. I have begun writing a book about my experiences in the hopes of helping others realize the destructive situation that these lines and psychics can create and to offer them hope that the answeres they seek are deep within themselves. They robbed me of three years of my life and I would hate to see that happen to another.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your story
ReplyDeleteYour story sounds typical... you were looking for extra support at a difficult time in your life.
I'm glad you've moved past this. Good luck with your book
I have a sister who is currently addicted to psychic hotlines. She has basically lost everything and still can not see that she has basically an addiction. I have tried everything to try and understand, but I am at the end of my rope. How can you possibly help someone who will not help themselves? Are there any sort of "12 step programs" out there that can possible help? Please help me to help her.
ReplyDeleteHi Jimbo
ReplyDeleteThat depends on the root cause of the calls. For example if she is calling because she is feeling grief after losing someone important to her, then you could try suggesting grief counselling.
You might also suggest she emails Dr Shepherd to participate in the study. Dr Shepherd has undertaken to try to direct people to help where possible.
There are also free telephone helplines such as Lifeline and Samaritans that may be able to help her. Or talking to a therapist.
You could also check out this list of help agencies
I have been a psychic hotline addict similar to anonymous and feel I could also write a book. I would love to put his behind me. Its hard to total ly avoid having any readings at all when I cannot dismiss my belief totally and think maybe some are genuine but definately some do not. I agree it starts when you have a crisis in your life. For me it was losing my mother. I dont like to think of the money I have spent, I cant change what has happened but again am trying to end it.
ReplyDeleteI am a psychic hotline addict and have been for years. I never thought of it as an addiction until recently. I call them when I suspected a partner of cheating, or worried about finance or to help me deal with death. I don't make friends easily and I don 't trust just anyone about telling my most personal life situations. A hotline psychic is non-personal and non-judgemental and availabel now vs. having to wait days for an appointment with a counselor. I also have some ability of my own and always want confirmation, even though ninety percent of the time my instincts were right. I really want to stop doing this because it is very expensive. If there is a counselor hotline for this then I would love to know about it.
ReplyDeletei am 25 yrs old, extremely independant, great paying job, great lifestyle, i have nothing to complain about...except that i have a psychic hotline addiction, ive had it for 3 yrs and have spent rougly 120k usd in total,
ReplyDeleteit really boils down to not having a good parent child relationship for me, it activates most when living in uncertainty and not being able to manage emotions, or unconfident about a situation
its like i dont have parents there to guide me or to set a standard or example...and my friendships are limited to shopping, dinning, discussing the best sellers over bordeaux or chablis...no depth
so when uncertainty for me is high...my addiction kicks in
the scary part comes when the client begins to really beleivethe psychic, and uses psychic forecasts and clairvoyant predictions and sets standards and starts living around these predictions. Instead of just taking it with a grain of salt, or as an additional opinion. Im not saying psychics arent authentic and they dont exist, but after being a client of so many (from worlds top ranked to LivePerson.com, Kasamba.com, Kajama.com, PsychicContact.com..these are all credible sites...anyway, i still question their authenticity today. I think for the majority of the profession, its composed of cold reader trained artists, or educated individuals whove recoverd from similar addictions...but its really up to the client to determine the boundaries
And im saying as an addict who has spent that much, (almost half my salary) in 3 yrs, i do not feel its appropriate to place any blame of poor decision making on these readers, and services.
ReplyDeleteBecause at times whent hey do help by offering "a reading" or , "a tarot spread" , runes, pure psychic, spirit says reading, they do offer a different perception, or opinion, but its up to the client to be able determine when to stop seeking such opinions and services. Yahoo forums are free and great---and yes, theyre not quite the same...but for the addicts, you get my drift here. its a forum that is appealing enough to be distracted for hours, but lame enough to not spend too much time on them...and they,re...free....
self help books works too, blogging, keeping pysically active! reading best sellers (im reading chasing harry winston now..great book!)
ive also done research on the mathematical possibilities in tarot, and the likelyhood of predictions, ive also done spiritual research ont hese cards, ive also done research on cold cut readings and all the others that follow, as well credibility of the psychic schools, and colleges
ReplyDeletethe likelyhood of authenticity that readers claim to have is very small
HI, Im a psychic hotline addict and have spent 1,700 pounds since feb. its getting so out of control I ring to find out about love lilfe becuase im lonley and i like the thrill and escapism it offers me but i cant afford it an my life is becoming nmangeable. I would like to take part in this study. please can you offer help i cant take spending all my money anymore?
ReplyDeleteHow can you say THEY robed you for 3 years ??? not months that pass by are NOT alarming to you,but yyears pass by and you are 'hoping' for what ? Fine,you wanted HOPE so dont complain THEY did that to you when YOu are the one who had done it to yourself !
ReplyDeleteAny person who truely cares for you-will come back to you in days,lets say enev few months,anything after that...is delusional,and you are the one who decided to live in that frame-mindset.
It's true people have personal choice; they can choose to make the phone call or not make the call.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there appear to be many vulnerable people who are being taken advantage of and encouraged to call repeatedly and for long periods of time by psychics who are either too misguided to realise that their callers are addicted or in need of other help, or who are too focused on getting their per minute income to care that they are helping people get "hooked" to an expensive service that causes more long-term problems than the short-term help it may offer.
I'm really keen to speak to people who are addicted to psychic readings. I am currently researching the topic as part of a documentary.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to hear from anyone who is struggling with this addiction and to hear your thoughts on psychic callings. My email address is emma.wilkinson@itn.co.uk - please do get in touch if you think this is something you'd be happy to talk to me about.
Kindest Regards,
Emma
I am a recovering psychic hotline addict. The sad thing was that I had money in savings from some inheritance. I went through a very unexpected divorce. I am in my 30s. For emotional support, I went home to live with my Dad who is in his 70s for a few months. It was then that I was exposed to some very religous minded people, and I felt very judged for going through a divorce. I also was under a lot of stress on my job. There was someone who was interested in me, and I was very scared of making a relationship mistake while going through a messy divorce. The psychic addiction basically started with me because I was or felt I was under a lot of judgement. I also had major anxiety about making mistakes in my future decisions. While agonizing about future decisions, I made even worse decisions about talking to psychics and spending money. If this happens to you, take control of situation by not making the next call. You can't get the money you spent back, but you can start rebuilding it. If you were vulnerable when it happened, look at it this way... you needed someone to talk to. We all need connection, and you were doing the only thing you knew at the time to get it. Thats what I have had to tell myself. Yes, they do prey on the vulnerable, because how do you really know if someone can tell the future or not. You really don't know until the future gets here. I feel for anyone who has talked to a psychic when they were in a vulnerable state. Start praying... its less expensive, and sometimes surprising.
ReplyDeletehi,
ReplyDeleteI have been to hell and back. however maybe the readings kept me alive.i don't know. but it's no life. i have blown about 60k euro in the past 7 years on mystic meg type outfits, and instead of facing upto a horrible family situation,2 breakups, serious emotional/logical deficits, the lines brought me off into a kind of fantasy land, where all will be well.I now owe 140k euro, no job, no career, no girlfriend and worse family/community problems.I just can't do it anymore. Emotionally I am a wreck and I have been falling into other behaviours that can become addictive. I don't see myself as an addict but a really vulnerable soul. If someone coul dhave thought me to lovemyself and honourmyself with my choices, i would not be in this mess. But now I see there were huge deficits in childhood. But they did their best. No point whinging. I need to take full resposibility and say to me: I love me, I am sorry, I forgive myself and thank myself, each time the anxiety strikes. It is giving me trust. I trust today that I will sort it.Trusting each small lonely step back from the water's edge, upon to the beaches of despair, and up onto dry land of peace. no more hope and fear thanks. I'm strong and meditation and counselling has helped. No need to make life harder than it has to be. I have beaten ME, FMS,Depression,Emotional Abuse and now i have all this career financial and social stuff to deal with. But deal with it I will. My heart is breaking. But all I have to do is love me, trust, and love me. I will learn how to love others, only by loving me. I will learn to be a good business person. I will learn to accept what is, only if I am able for the white knuckle ride of life that my choices have turned this life into.No more fantasy escapism. And you know what? maybe my life will become fantastic, but in a real way. a real way.
Hi,2009 was a awful year for me, and during this time I had upteen readings alot of which were totally crap, but I did find one fantastic reader who has helped me enourmousley(genuine ones do exist), we still are great friends now and do chat regulary, in fact I was encouraged by my doctor to try anti depressents but havnt done so and have healed myself with my friends help, saying that I do think that it gives you a buzz ringing psychic lines, and thats whats hard to give up,I still do feel that when I call even though I dont call as often.Genuine readers can be and are great helpers when you are in a tough place but unfortunately so many are just out to make a quick buck and vulnerable people suffer, as if one doesnt tell you what you want then you go to another and another and so it spirals out of control,its easy to say that you wont ring again but actually its incredibly hard to put into practice and its odd that while you are doing it you dont really consider the money you just keep handing out your card details.I agree with Pam, I am not a religious person but I am spiritual and if you pray and ask for help from your own guides and angels you do get the help and strength you need to overcome this, I did. x
ReplyDeletehi. i'm a psychic addict. i don't know if you could say that i am in recovery because i just realized a few days ago that i really had a problem. well, i do think i realized before that that i had a problem, but i didn't realize until i started reading about psychic addiction how bad it has become. i told myself when i got paid that i would allow myself just one psychic reading for this period of 14 days. well, i didn't get just one psychic reading. i went to asknow.com and talked to three different people, and then i went back over to psychic source and had two readings, with probably over $100 in total. i don't know if i was addicted really until i started going to liveperson.com. there was something about the chat environment that really appealed to me. before that, i was going to psychic source and psychic access, mostly occasionally, but i was advisor hopping. i would go from one to another to another. i never believed the ones who told me what i wanted to hear, but if someone told me something i didn't want to hear, i didn't believe them. i have talked to a different advisor who advertises herself as an antidote to the fake hotline people, but she couldn't even get his [the person i was asking about] hair color right. oh, and they all tell me the same thing. he loves me, he wants me back, it's just a matter of time, this is what is going on with him and there's a lot of overlap with the psychics telling me what's going on with him, so i figured they were telling me the truth. and the ones who tell you stuff that's bad, they have a motivation, too, for you to keep calling. if they tell you that so-and-so isn't coming back, you might go to them again out of desperation, hoping they'll say something else, or they'll give you a prediction about someone else coming into your life. i have heard it all. to be honest, the quality of the readings i have had are all about the same, except a couple at liveperson have seemed a little scripted. this all started probably around aug. of 2009 and since then i have talked to probably i would say at least 30 different readers and i am still doing it and i know it's taking a toll on me.
ReplyDeletethis is how bad it is: i know for a fact that one person i talked to was just plain wrong. i got an email from the person i was asking about and i didn't know whether or not i should read it. so i seriously called psychics and asked them if should read. actually, i talked to several different different people. two told me to delete it. the one said it was mean and insulting and just plain downright rude and i shouldn't read it, and the other guy said to just delete it. well, i also talked to someone else at asknow and she said i should read it and that it wasn't negative. guess who was right? the person at asknow. i read it, but only after i talked to this other lady at liveperson who told me how he still liked his ex and blah blah blah and so i got upset and before i even read what he had to say for himself, i got ticked off and sent him a mean message and told him to ignore my facebook friend request, which he of course did. and if i hadn't listened to those idiot psychics who told me not to read it, maybe things would be different right now. it is not their fault, but they were just plain wrong. the other girl who was right, i went back to her and i talked her about stuff. but it's not like i've just been talking to her. i'm still advisor hopping and spending money i don't have. and i think i've ruined things between myself and this other person. and of course i'll go ask a psychic to see if i have. i found one person at liveperson who said that i am having a lot of readings and it can drive you crazy and wreak havoc on your love life and that i should try prayer instead. of course she also works with psychic addicts. and she did tell me that he likes me, so i guess we'll see.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI am a psychic addict. I think just writing the words and admitting it is a great step. However, I know I have spent thousands over the past 4 years and only recently realized that I have a real addiction. After reading the messages posted here, I find that I have much in common with others who struggle with this problem. I have a lot of misery that is still haunts me from my childhood, even though I try to not whine about it, gain strength from it, and empathize with those who have had childhoods like mine. The fact is though, deep down I am very lonely, don't have a real family to share the Hell that has been going on the last few years because they are Less than no help, and most friends I have are either superficial or I just don't see enough to get what I need in terms of counseling and help. In the last few years, I have gone through a nasty divorce, had 3 surgeries, moved 3 times, had some not so wonderful jobs, lost friends because of the divorce, and lost $ and things because of the divorce. The counselors I went to were expensive and were like talking to a wall. The psychics gave me hope and someone to talk to and were seemingly positive. Ironically, I have some psychic ability myself, so this has been quite a journey.
I am really trying to pray more, get out more, slowly find new friends and build a new life, but it is a struggle. Do I suffer from depression? Sure. I have always prided myself for being one of the few non-smoking, non-alcoholic or obese people in my family, but instead, this has been my "drug of choice", and I am too ashamed to tell anyone about it because people I know would not be understanding. At best they would laugh their asses off, at worst be disgusted and not have anything to do with me, and I would be even lonelier than I am now!
i have spent a year going to psychics. first it was just one woman and i would try to limit it to once a month. then i started calling psychics on keen. well most of them told me that my ex of 6 on and off years still loved me and would break up with his gf. then he got engaged. i kept calling and they said he wouldn't get married. well he got married yesterday. i feel so devastated. i know i have an addiction and it WILL ruin my life if i don't stop. i thought that if he got married then i wouldn't want to talk to psychics anymore but i find myself still wanting to. were they all just telling me what i wanted to hear? was there ANY truth to what they were telling me?
ReplyDeleteI too am addicted to psychics, and have now been calling Keen for about 5 years, I have found true psychics on there but this is NOT the solution to my problems or my depression. It has gotten really bad with in the passed year, and I TRULY would do anything to stop but I can't and don't know how either. My family just found out about it today and I'm VERY ashamed, and feel the urge to call them now. Those of you who have overcome this same addiction, how did you do it? Please HELP!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone.
ReplyDeleteI read all the comments and my heart is just broken. I UNDERSTAND!! I've been there too. I'm so sad for all of you and sad for what I went through too.
The thing is, addiction is so strange. Sometimes we think by shear will power we can get through it. But you WILL have cravings to get back into it. But remember a craving just lasts for a little bit of time. When that comes over you and you feel you HAVE to talk to someone, GET OUT OF YOUR HOUSE. Go for a walk and connect to reality. You will notice the trees, the breeze, people outside and you will feel a bit more connected to life. Or go for a cup of coffee at a cafe, call a friend. Just get out of the cave.
ALSO, PLEASE!!!!!! You MUST close every account you have created on any psychic hotline or website. AND you must block any and all psychic websites on all computers in your house. I can show you how to do this.
I wrote an article about some practical steps to help people stop. It curbed me from my spending. Yeah, I still have random cravings and have to deal with it. But you will handle them better if you have permanently blocked the sites on your computer.
Read my article on How to Stop a Psychic Reading Addiction. My email address is on there and if you have no one to talk to, you can email me personally. Talk to me, I will write you back. Anytime you have a weak moment, talk to me and let me be a listening ear.
Read the article here:
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Kick-a-Psychic-Reading-Addiction---A-Practical-Approach&type=sv&id=4954233
Helena
I have been trying to quit!!! I can't believe i've been doing this. I've started to talk to as many psychics as possible in one day to see the different outcomes they have for me. I can't believe it! I'm unemployed and charging money I don't have. I closed one account, but the other account seems difficult to close and they told me it's a long process even though I told costumer service line I was becoming addicted. I need to block all calls & lines.
ReplyDeleteThis really is helpful, I find it so confusing as one psychic will say x and another y and then both claim to be right when the outcome is z
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the "go with the flow" comment, psychic readings just totally focus you on the outcome and the ride along the way is just inconvenient however the ride is "life" and you end up giving away your power through constant focus on the predicted outcome and when things do not go as predicted it can generate a lot of anger / frustration. Please note you make your own future and to certain extent luck, sure there maybe an element of fate / luck / destiny etc however the biggest influence on your life is you and God not a psychic ITS YOU and what you do that counts i.e. you will not get fit by having a psychic reading even if it predicts you will be superfit in the next few months - You have to go the gym, yoga or eat well etc Often a psychic reading is a kop out, escapism a fantasy that panders to your insecurities it gives you an instant hit of hope and validates destructive patterns . more often than not it will probally be better and cheaper to have counselling and get to bottom of your issues or alternatively have faith in god and yourself in doing what is best for you - it is important to note that only you control your thoughts and actions and not a psychic and you can not map out your future that way - the universe just does not work like that.
Do not get me wrong I have had some good psychics and do believe they have time and place however i believe a lot of them are able to read you and your thoughts and patterns as opposed to any given situation
Put it this way I have had some profound predictions that have come true and others from the same psychics that are woefully wrong - and being a logical being I can not work it out so end up going around in circles.
If you go with the flow have faith in you and your loved ones, keep your power, trust me you will be in a lot better position than constantly seeking validation and security through this foundationless readings
Sorry I had to get that off my chest ....
note you make your own future and to certain extent luck, sure there maybe an element of fate / luck / destiny etc however the biggest influence on your life is you and God not a psychic ITS YOU and what you do that counts i.e. you will not get fit by having a psychic reading even if it predicts you will be superfit in the next few months - You have to go the gym, yoga or eat well etc Often a psychic reading is a kop out, escapism a fantasy that panders to your insecurities it gives you an instant hit of hope and validates destructive patterns . more often than not it will probally be better and cheaper to have counselling and get to bottom of your issues or alternatively have faith in god and yourself in doing what is best for you - it is important to note that only you control your thoughts and actions and not a psychic and you can not map out your future that way - the universe just does not work like that.
ReplyDeleteDo not get me wrong I have had some good psychics and do believe they have time and place however i believe a lot of them are able to read you and your thoughts and patterns as opposed to any given situation
Put it this way I have had some profound predictions that have come true and others from the same psychics that are woefully wrong - and being a logical being I can not work it out so end up going around in circles.
If you go with the flow have faith in you and your loved ones, keep your power, trust me you will be in a lot better position than constantly seeking validation and security through this foundationless readings
Sorry I had to get that off my chest ....
I have also realised that I'm having a psychic addiction problem. Just by chatting to at least 30 different psychics on Liveperson I have spent over 9k usd from April this year up until now. I feel so ashamed about becoming broke while all this money is flowing right out of my bank account! I couldn't imagine my ex, who I'm still very good friends with, finding out that I have spent that much money to try to get back into a relationship with him. I have never told him or anyone else about how much I spent on psychic readings.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for sharing your article on how to beat psychic addiction. There is a blog written by lightness in truth on blogspot.com about the frightening tactics used by psychics there to lure you in and drain your savings away. The information I read on that blog is enough to convince me to walk away from the mess I got myself into and to start moving on. Please keep up the fantastic work on this blog, I really appreciate it.
I've been to hell and back with this addiction - I echo every comment made on here, I am a very pro-active person in my life but have been dealing with extremely challenging issues for the past 5 years when my world has changed beyond all recognition. I did find some genuine people although I think LivePerson is awful as a site but mostly what I found was temporary relief from facing a situation which now has to be faced anyway - with no savings and no money and in a lot of debt - there has to be a better way. People say have faith but it's tough. I suppose these people gave me hope which I don't have much of otherwise and I do know and understand that this is how they make their money. I feel terribly ashamed and weak and helpless and alone - they were at least someone to talk to - I changed careers and am unemployed now and so really apart from one person have very few people to interact with. It's not an excuse - it's an explaination - I thank God for the article above that tells you how to block these sites on your computer. I also ask any of you reading this to say a prayer for me and for all of us who struggle with these issues. I don't judge anyone for being involved with these hotlines and with respect to the rational person above, I think we all basically know who is in charge of our lives (Us and maybe God if you have faith) but we turn to these people because our faith in our own abilities to affect change in a situation is diminished. Right now I just feel like a failure for not being able to make things happen in my career and even more so for keeping that addiction going and getting us into worse financial trouble. The thing is is that the thought that things might really be this bad and there may never be any relief is so awful to contemplate that I find it hard to keep living - I don't have the courage to do anything awful to myself and I would feel too guilty about hurting those I love to follow through but I am seriously depressed and without anyone to really show me how to get out of it. Ironically I'm the one other people come to for help with their problems - all except one close person think of me as totally together - and I am - with this MAJOR exception. I feel like a wuss - and I know I am and I don't know how I let this happen. I would like to hear from people strategies that work for them to keep their spirits up - and please do say a prayer for us all - I know we all need it - keeping you all in my thoughts right now as I say one. Please post only encouraging words - I can't face any more negativity right now.
ReplyDeleteI was heavily addicted to KEEN. There were some very accurate readers and that was really the problem...besides my life taking a huge crap. From what I can tell, and I'm pretty embarrassed to say this, I think I spent close to $52K before it all ended years ago. I never really financially recovered from that escapade. It has been 6 years since I picked-up the phone to call KEEN. I actually had a psychic help me break the addiction. She was a very caring person and didn't charge me anything but did help me put some things into perspective and I cut-off the calls cold turkey. That was a really brutal time of my life and I am so glad it is over. Close your accounts out now and don't look back. Get some friends that will talk to you for free and keep you occupied. Pray. Trust yourself and your own intuitions. No addictions are healthy and anything that led you to psychics should be eliminated from your life also.
ReplyDeleteDont feel ashamed!! i went through a traumatic, emotional year in all aspects of my life. I suffered a breakdown and fell into depression, i got used by the person i loved and i spent hundreads on these people after the break up. I am a confident, outgoing person who just went through a badtime. I have great friends, family alot of people i can talk to the psychics i used because i was confused and i used them as my therapy. I dont feel ashamed....call it a safer addiction. If you didnt have psychics for a high what would you use?...drugs/drink?! My addiction lasted 6 months, i've always been a strong person but i fell and i used my inner strength to get out of it. The last comment....your going through a badtime like i did and you will get out of it! Its not a lonely thing i had my mates but i still needed psychics, i went out had a laugh and still went home to have a chat with a psychic. Its an addiction, all you have to do is be positive, just say to yourself eveything happens for a reason. I look back and i laugh at what i did, if i dont if i dwell on it i will depress myself even more. You only have one life, get up, get help and change what you have. My past year....Madness!! Emotionally traumatic, loss of finances, bullying, suicidal, breakdowns, stressful.....you name it, it happened!! Now im confident, happy, ambitious and ready for what life brings next. xx
ReplyDeleteHey everyone, Thanks for sharing your stories.
ReplyDeleteAs some of the people here are "addicts" I would appreciate it if you not mention any accurate readers by name or service as this may trigger some people to call and spend more money. I've published all the comments (other than those from psychics promoting their services and the abusive comments) but please keep this in mind for future comments as I'm sure no one here wants to encourage other people to get "hooked" back into making calls to telephone psychics and spending money they can't afford. Other than that, please keep sharing your stories!
~ Talia
Yes I have been a psychic addict since 2008 when my ex boyfriend and I broke up.
ReplyDeleteto some degree, the psychics were actually right on which caused me to call futher because a lot of their predictions came to pass.
I also was lonely and anxious wanting to know the answers and wanted instant gratification instead of having the confidence in myself that knowing everything would be ok. I probably spent over 200k in 3 years../I could've put a down payment on a new home but that's besides the point. I feel so stupid on relying on psychics to predict the future because I'm so out of control
Anyhow, if you must call a psychic, my word of advice is get a reading but wait til the timeframes the psychics give you come to pass and verify what they say. If nothing happens, don't keep calling, just let it go and rely on your own intuition of knowing what to do and feel confident that you have the ability to know what to do. Don't feel hopeless or fearful. If you are lonely, take out a piece of paper and write down your emotions of why you're feeling that way and write down why you need to call a psychic and how much it would potentially cost..it will deter you from making that next call.
Take it one day at a time. one day you don't call. the make the goal one week. then one month, etc..You'll feel so proud and accomplished. Try meditating too. I noticed when I focus on something, meditate hard and will my way to have something manifest, that is just as powerful if you need something. Or pray if you're religious. You know the answers inside of you, listen to your own intuition. Most times psychics just confirm what you already know so why pay them..pay yourself!!
Hello everybody,
ReplyDeleteall of your stories sound so familiar, I have been exactly where you've been....it's a terrifying addiction to have. I don't know how many times I've said "This is the last call", and it hasn't been....I've tried so hard to kick this addiction, and I don't either want to think about all the money I've spend. I'm trying to get to the root of this addiction: I keep thinking if I try to heal and help the cause of this addiction maybe the addiction itself will melt away and disappear. I've now been writing a lot what led me to this addiction....I've always been a very intuitive, sensitive person, and I think I have tried to find relief, comfort, consolement, tried to ease the pain, fear and panic in me by calling psychics ( I do believe the psychics I called have been real, I've got help from them, short term relief from pain and depression, but then it all comes back and I need another fix). So it's a fix after fix....I now know I have to try to help myself in other ways than calling psychics- I've been using bach flower remedies 8homeopathic remedies for depression, shock, grief, anxiety etc) and herbal remedies for anxiety and depression (st. johns wort, gotu kola, tulsi) and vitamin B and minerals to strenghen my nervous system and that way to combat this addiction...but I know the cause of this addiction is somewhere deep inside me and I need to get to it. It all started after a close family member died and soon after I was entagled in a very difficult and sad "relationship": I've been treated quite badly, and have had a terrifying fear of losing this man. I think I've been in such a fragile and vulnerable state of mind and being, it's no wonder I ended up having an addiction: I believe addiction (whatever addiction it may be) gives us all short-term relief from pain, hopelessness, fear, depression....It gives relief and helps for a while, but it doesn't address the true problems and anxietes and depression and pain that lies beneath. I do believe these things are the root cause of an addiction, and psychic addiction is our "drug of choice". Maybe we are very sensitive, intuitive people who feel relieved and uplifted by calling psychics. We need to find peace of mind, comfort, and uplifting experiences in other ways than calling psychics. To heal depression and anxiety and find relief in other ways....I believe there should be support groups for us, there are so many of us, and it's such a painful addiction: so much shame and embarrassment is attached to this addiction, I sometimes think maybe it'd be easier being an alcoholic :) But I try to think maybe I have learned something valuable through this psychic addiction experience: to not judge addicts, feel empathy for all people full of pain and grief and sorrow who try to help themselves get relief through addiction...be it psychic addiction or any addiction. And the extra worries and pains an addiction brings: most of us financial ruin and shame and embarrasment. Although calling a psychic brings short term relief, it causes long term anxiety because of financial worrying, and the horrible feeling of being disappointed in yourself: I let myself go and ended up calling a psychic again....I'm no good, will this be my end, I can't believe I did this again, I'm so embarrassed, so ashamed, I feel like a true loser. I truly wish you all the best and pray and hope you are healed from this addiction. Take care everyone :)
- They certainly have predicted things, but when I got there after months of incessant worry and money spent, I was ambivalent about the outcome.
ReplyDelete- I feel guilty for sharing someone else's personal things and finding out stuff about them that they did not want to share.
- From a reading I found out that he was not cheating (which I believed from the reading and which was true), so I did not accuse him of this, but will never know if I would have been truly suspicious of it and/or confronted him about it if I hadn't gotten the reading.
- One reader told me that I will never believe a prediction until the time comes / doesn't come. This is correct and when I don't accept it I call. Call for more opinions if I'm not sure of authenticity or more details if I feel it authentic.
- I am never at ease knowing what is going to happen, even if it is good. I spend a lot of energy keeping my fingers crossed, waiting, and money making sure. Boy do I get angry if it looks like it's going to fall thru or does, so I call.
- Ironically I worry that knowing the good outcome is going to shift it from actually happening because the knowing might have set me on a new path. Is the part of the path calling? I call to ask if I've set things of course by calling.
- The more productive things I could be hyper-focused on. The more attractive things I could be focused on. I don't ever want to show my face at the bank. I burn all evidence. I'm embarrassed by the ads Keen sends to my PO Box. What if someone collected my mail for me? Does the postmaster know?
- Emotional reasons I do it-- I'm sick of being let down. I want my dreams to happen. I'm inpatient. A big one: I can't get myself to do anything else.
- This month I keep track of ALL my spending. Every time I spend money I write down what I spent it on and my new balance in my phone. The awareness is helping. I might start putting money that would have been spent into savings, had I followed a craving
- When my friends are having financial difficulties, I feel so guilty for having "chosen" to give myself financial problems.
- I DO NOT want to have a marriage, nor a relationship headed towards a marriage, subjected to readings. I want to form ultimate complete trust. Trust in my partner. Trust in myself. Faith in our relationship.
- Really, the hearing something or other will happen has lead to overall more anxiety than if I had just continued to be patient and wonder. It becomes such a needing a fix scenario, where upon for a block of time I can not think of anything but getting that fix.
- Such a waste of time it has been. I forgive myself. It is ok, but now I know and I want to be smart to act upon KNOWING that the readings have not helped and thus CREATE a happier healthier life for myself. I feel that my confidence and relationship will grow and I will become more and more sure that no reading is the best choice.
- Man oh man it can be tough. Tonight, I am thinking about calling to get suggestions and/or encouragement to stop calling.
I've been an addict since December 2008. That's when my grad school boyfriend decided not to contact me. The calls to psychics since then did not stop until just recently. My last call was a few days ago (but it will be my last this month for sure), and I just discovered that I've been spending about $6000/year on this. It's ironic that I am an addict, I am a health care professional and work with meth, cocaine, prescription drug abusers day in and day out.
ReplyDeleteLuckily, I don't feel so depressed or anxious anymore, and I've noticed that I don't need psychics when I'm happy. I have things to look forward to now that I didn't have before: 1) I am interviewing at 2 places and hoping to leave my current job (source of depression/anxiety) 2) realization that my ex in grad school is not worth $6000/year and I am better off without him.
Here is my advice:
1) if you can't fight it yourself, get help. Even if it means going to AA if you can't afford life coach or counseling.
2) being spiritual may help. In the last 2 years of my depression, anxiety, what helped me most was not the psychics but my new found spirituality. I read Michael Newton's Life Between Lives books and it really helped. There are spirit guides that help us (you might have heard some psychics refer to these guides). I believe that we all have them, and they're most likely wanting us to get over this addiction. I even had one psychic tell me that I had a financial spiritual guide. That should've been my cue to stop these calls and spending money I should've put in savings or paying back my mother and brother.
3) Don't beat yourself up, that will make your anxiety worse. It is your choice to spend time thinking about the money you've lost or moving on.
4) find another addiction. I stopped calling psychics when I bought my kindle and couldn't wait for all of the free books to download. Go to your local library. start reading--anything! I am currently reading spiritual guide books written by Brian Weiss (I still prefer Michael Newton) and astronomy, physics books (I know, nerdy). but a reading addiction can be more cost effective and helpful (especially if you go to a library). And it will keep your mind busy, and you'll just be smarter for it, too!
That's all I have for now. While I am just realizing that I am addict, I hope you may find this helpful.
As for myself, I will update this forum to let you know if I've had a relapse and am calling psychics again. Good luck to everyone and thanks so much for posting your experiences, fears, and hopes.
elcee8@hotmail.com
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI have been going through a very painful divorce and lots of depression and anxiety over not seeing my daughter everyday.I started calling psychics to see that I would indeed survive this ordeal with the ultimate hope that my family would be restored. They would all say what I already knew, that the other woman was evil, that my husband was immature, and that my daughter was very hurt and confused by all this and that my husband really feels guilty. I kept trying different psychics to hear the obvious. I was about to go onto Live person when I instead searched to information on people addicted to psychic readings and I'm glad I did. I pray for all of us who feel lonely, sad, depressed and just want to see that there is hope.If nothing else, I do not feel so alone and know that we are all looking for someone that cares because like someone said before, we are sensitive people that I am sure have a lot of love to give if given the chance.God bless you all
I am quitting NOW!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have spent loads of money in these people
I feel soo stupid, I am well educated and the whole lot.
I suppose I use them as my counsellor, and the sweet you can call them whenever you want.... and when you feel down and that things are not going to change, I liked calling them so I would get re-assurance things would change
Stupid me! but I was using them as part of my Karma or something....
Hello
ReplyDeleteI too have had a pretty bad addiction to psychic lines. I'd spend the whole weekend calling one after another. I couldn't sleep anymore.
I'd usually had a deep, integral, intuition...you see!
But it had failed me, in recent years - and instead of accepting it - I'd try to rationalise the behaviours of others. "Why this" ... "why that".
I'm lucky - that I had the money... but it still is not cool at ALL!
Basically... I'd been in a relationship with a man who told me lies (I think) ... abused drugs (I suspect).... hired hookers (so I was told). He abused me - and hurt me - RAPIDLY -in a 4 month "spiral".
We were together for 2 years and I didn't recognise him anymore.
I asked Psychics things like .... "was he abused himself"... "did he have PTSD" ?
You name it! I looked for the answers!
Truth is... Who KNOWS! Who cares!
I had to draw a line - only I held that key!
I will say, however, these lines did ALLOW me to exhaust my emotions... Consider every possibility - SOOOO much so - that I didn't care what the hell happened anymore.
(Albeit at a price).
So - for the entrepreneur reading this...
Why not set up a Global counselling line. That's cheaper!
It would be lucrative and great for those suffering, alone!
And... seemingly - I realise that I have little to NO family around me. Friends that I do not want to "bore" - with the "why's" and "what's".
I guess it's a case of "curiosity killed the cat".
And if my cat was the love I had... my curiosity did help kill it - stone dead!
Still, counselling may have been a better plan - but I grieved alone and quickly. And, in some way - came through it a better person!
(Still - albeit with a price)!
To anyone reading this in the same place:
From one psychic addict- to another...
I suggest speaking to the inner you. You know the answers. And- if you don't... be gentle on yourself. They will come to you one day.
Let go. It's in the past.
Let life guide you.
A Jones
LONDON
Thank you all for sharing. We should go to Dateline NBC and tell our stories. Don't feel shameful. We pay upfront and they can say whatever to us after we connect. I have been calling for 5 yrs and realized I have called excessively. I sit her today reviewing notes and shaking my head because 99.99% didn't happen or come true. To listen to the damage that is done and to think of the untold stories. One thing is in common we are feeling lonely due to some circumstance beyond our control. Yes it does spiral out of control. I am praying everyday not to make that next call. Good luck everyone and I send you all the strength in the world not to make the next call ever again. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI am a psychic addict and have been having readings sometimes 5 to 10 in one day and it is making a serious dent in my finances. I call them when I am unsure as to what will happen and they assure me that all will be well. For the next hour I am comforted and then the anxiety and depression continue and I have no idea how to deal with it. Thank you so much for sharing your stories because I feel better reading them and understanding that I am not alone in this battle.They have been wrong many times throughout the past year and even before when I was infrequently having readings. I have been hugely disappointed by their predictions and would love to warn everyone of the wonderful euphoria of having someone tell you that all will be well and it is not and never turns out to be. I have been dating this guy for 3 months and they told me he was wonderful and it was a soul connection etc. I believed them and gave my all in the relationship so much so that I was being treated badly. Now that the relationship has ended they are now saying that he is not nice etc. after the fact. It is a hype in some form and it is like any other addiction. They are human like the rest of us and can only attempt to predict but can they really? Many times throughout the past year, fate has shown that there are many twists and turns that they do not see. Yet, I keep calling them and getting myself into a huge debt because of this because of lack of emotional support systems.This false sense of security continues as I battle with this addiction and found this site today with fellow sufferers and kindred spirits. Thank you al for sharing and I know now that this horrible secret I share is no longer. Just knowing that can help me cope with the next bout of anxiety as I continue to battle with myself to not make that call and find false hope and understanding from persons who care little about me and my feelings.
ReplyDeleteFrustrated
Hello all.
ReplyDeleteIn deep respect and compassion for what you have all been through. I am a journalist looking to shed some light on this issue: How does one become addicted to psychics, why, and is there something to be done about the problem? I am in the early stages of preparing a project about this, and am looking for sources. If there is anyone living in LONDON who would like to share their story with me "in real life", I would greatly appreciate it. I would be interested in hearing other people's stories as well, but if you are not based here in London, unfortunately I couldn't use your stories as I need to corroborate them somehow. But please continue sharing your views on the message board, it's very interesting (and sad) to hear what can happen when you get too much involved in this scene.
I hope to hear from someone shortly. You may e-mail me on: hege.otterholm [at] gmail.com.
I have a unique situation though in the same boat as the rest of you. I am a psychic medium myself. I read on one of the major sites and have a private practice. My own calling for readings though has gotten out of control. I am embarrassed to say the least. What a dilemma . The truth is I am a genuine psychic, I get dates names , time frames connect with the other side with indisputable facts with no prompting or questions, I have yet to find anyone who even comes close to my own level of accuracy. Can I read for myself.....NO. But I am again looking for another spiritual teacher to get me out of this mess with myself..as that is where the real issue lies. I am in this to help other people.
ReplyDeleteI got a call the other day from a woman who told me she had an addiction . I spoke with her for 20 minutes told her to cancel her account and refunded her money. I know this is a calling for me, but I am truly questioning in what venue and if I can or should stay on the hotline. I prefer hour long readings in person...I can go out over a years long time.. I also prefer in person readings and have no problem telling people if I think they are overusing the hotline service. No-one has ever done this for me.
All of my readings have been over a failed relationship that to me is very karmic in nature. It has been a hard thing to accept. Does he always come back yes, is it ever resolved... no. I didn't believe a word any of them said and kept calling. it's just nuts..they are 1/2 right and 1/2 wrong. I guess all they have offered me was hope...but the price tag is way too high the hope is false . There is also some anxiety and depression here.
I am also an educated professional woman and therapist. Yikes
so yes, we real psychics also do exist.. but I am here to tell you we are very few and far between..
I am thinking I should write a book.. this is truly a double edged sword for me.
I wish you all peace. God help us..
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Brittany Simonton and I'm a Production Assistant at Sharp Entertainment, a television production company based in New York City. Currently, we're casting for a new series on TLC that showcases those who live an extremely passionate and unique lifestyle. We'll follow them on their pursuit and delve into their world as they teach us what it is that drives their obsession.
During my research, I came across this site and was wondering if anyone would be interested in talking to me about your obsession with psychics. Please email me at brittanys@sharpentertainment.com if you are interested.
Thanks!
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteI also have this problem and have been trying to overcome it for the past twelve months. Although I have stopped calling as much, I'm still calling them, it's such an insidious addiction as you feel so much shame and embarrassment and suffer such great financial loss, it's devastating.
I've spent thousands over the last four years and it's all down to me not trusting myself enough and needing someone to talk to when I feel anxious.
Of course, some of the predictions are accurate, that's what hooks you in, so you ignore all the inaccurate ones and keep going back for more. You can't get your money back like you would from a regulated business, if you were sold faulty goods.
You just try another,then another, again and again, it's compulsive and ultimately destructive as it slowly takes your power away, you start second guessing your own instincts. I've even got one who now works from her own home and the other night, she let me talk on for an hour and a half before I said our time must be up now, she said I must tell her if I only want an hour. Snapped, now, I know she only wants my money, as nice and caring as she is. One, many years ago even said that she was the director of my life, (to my astonishment and horror).
I'm going to take the advice given here and go within for guidance, it's the best thing God has ever given me and it's what it's meant for.
Thanks for all your stories, it has really helped me realize I am not the only one who suffers with this awful addiction.
Good luck. God will help us if we help ourselves.
Hi Everyone,
ReplyDeleteI feel so blessed to have come across this site tonight, I kept telling my self that February 1st I would regain my life and trust God. I had even read Deuteronomy 18:10-12 about the danger of occult practices, yet I had become so obsessed about a relationship that started over a year ago with a man that was actually married with small children and had presented himself as single. My instincts and very direct questions were set aside after I called psychic after psychic telling me we were soul mates, twin flames and others telling me he was in fact married. Obsessing over this relationship caused me many sleepless nights, thousands of dollars and extreme doubt in my own inner wisdom. Just yesterday, I was determined to get the "real truth" and make a decision as this man is now in the midst of a divorce. I came across a site were I thought I was ONLY spending $25.00 and after 17 minutes I ran up a bill of over $200.00 on top of overdraft fees. Needless to say, after many readings I would confront this man with accusations, suspicions and my "psychic facts". I just accepted today that I have an addiction to psychics, I had treated these services as having a wise "girlfriend" or male insight into the truth. I feel very saddened that I let this compulsion run away with me, oddly I had not seen this man for seven months. Three weeks ago I began speaking with him and the past two days I was beginning to fall into the same patterns until he said to me...."When you feel anxious and have fears and concerns...just call me and talk to me about it before you leave me a nasty voicemail or vicious text message."
Because of this site, I have blocked the psychic sites and dating site that were the root of my anxiety. I am eternally grateful to Talia and Nancy.
I pray that everyone have the inner strength and divine guidance to heal from this terrible addiction.
God Bless
Thank you, thank you, thank you! This site has possibly just saved my home, face, me from bankruptcy...I too have an addiction. During a failing 18 year marriage, I started to call Psychics...Was he having an affair? Was I going mad etc...majority said no, but my doubts(or gut instinct) told me he was. I was told he loved me, we were soulmates etc, we'd always together etc, I phoned 2 or 3 different people per day at the cost of £30 each. The story? Yes, he was having an affair. Yes, he is part of my life still...only because I divorced him and we have 2 children together. Yes, he does love me,and maybe he is my soulmate, but only one that caused me so much despair. Then I researcheds 'soulmates' at that time I didn't realise (and no psychic told me) that this wasn't always a good thing. So I mirror the comments about of course in some cases that the 'vision' 'prediction' could be interpreted in most scenarios. Did I learn? No. I met someone new. I doubted myself on every level. Again, too good to be true syndrome. I am deeply ashamed to say that I have embarassed myself by taken psychic's advice, possibly lost him (and I know we truly do love each other) and my finances are at an all time low. I am booking in to see my Dr. today. I hope that they can offer me some support. No-one knows about this and the strong person, who has been carer for my disabled daughter and confidant for so many people, is a wreck Maybe, after 4years of phoning psychics and I know I have spent well over £15,000, I should have sought help from my doctor in the first place. I too wish there was a recognised help group. Seems like, ironically, US or UK, we have all been told the same stories...i.e. hot/cold man, does love you, he has issues to sort, be strong/understanding, don't text, text, let him contact you, go knock on his door, commitment phobic, but he will marry you. OMG! I feel soooo stupid and taken in. My e-mail is sharonpurnell@btinternet.com. If anyone wants to chat (for free!) please e-mail. I'm an ordinary mum of 2. Now financially ruined!!
ReplyDeleteGlad I came across this site. I feel like I'm on the road to addiction if not there already. It started Oct 2011, when I started having love problems and complications. I contacted Keen through chat, the reader was correct, so it just picked up from there. I just kept chatting with readers. The worse is when a reader says something negative, which makes me worry more and then I end up calling more psychics to help me feel positive again. It is like a drug addiction, because I get a temporary high, then it wears off, and I want another high. It is now April, I calculated that I have spent about $450 a month or so (about $4000 in 7 months). I have previously used keen, but never that much a month. Usually just about $20 a month and if I had $50 a month i felt guilt. I really want to get off of this psychic stuff and feel like I have a sense of control again. I know the first step is to cancel my account.
ReplyDeleteHi, I have recently terminated my account with Keen. I have to come to admit that I have a psychic hotline addiction. It was an expensive adddiction just like using drug. The psychic will feed me with false informations and I would just wait for the expected outcomes. Some did come true but majority did not. I am so tired of living my life through what the psychic's telling me. Honestly the money that I spent on this website could be money spend on building a downpayment for a home, a nice car, a trip or an education. I know that calling Keen gave me a sense of false relief from my life but in reality it delay me from dealing with my real life. I deeply believe that calling Keen is going to ruin me in the end. This website needs to be terminated!!! It is ruining people lives. I gave my power away when my finger is dailing the number---I feel that after terminating my Keen's account I gained back my power. Terminating my Keen account is a release from my guilt and my terrible addiction. I will deal with my life day by day. Living in the moment rather than false expectation.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I feel that too I am in the midst of psychic addiction. I'm in no where near in debt as much as some of you but it is taking money at I can't afford. I have never and would never call those 'hotlines' but I have a vice that is ebay, the cheap little readings that add up to a huge cost.
ReplyDeleteAt first I starting asking a few about my career as I'd took a huge change in direction and decided to go to Uni and have a total career change, a few confirmed that I was on the right path this time, so I started Uni and left it at that.
THEN, I met someone at Uni, who I felt a 'connection' with, unlike no one before, finally I'd met someone who loved the same things I did (I have unique interests) so, I jokingly thought 'Well, they helped me with my career, maybe I should ask them about him too, so off to ebay I went, someone fairly cheap with a good reputation...the reader was very down to earth, said that he was 'curious' about me too, said that things would develop naturally between us...and I should have left it that, boy, I wish I had...
Only my feelings for him spiralled from silly crush to overwhelming desire (I'm ashamed to say) so the need to know whether he felt the same became more intense, I asked more people and then the 'he's a soul mate' readings started to happen, which only made things a lot worse.
All I got was 'be patient, be patient, it'll happen, you need to be patient, wait for him' they all gave me the same month that we'd 'be together' and I spent a lot of time waiting for that month, only when it came, nothing happened. I was devastated, by this time, I was totally in love with him and geniuely believed that we'd be together...only we aren't. We were closer yeah, good friends maybe, but nowhere near the point were they'd all lead me to believe we'd be by this point.
And after this time frame, I re-visited the same readers, angry and hurt, asking for explainations...I got them all 'he wasn't ready, he's a soul mate runner, you're just meant to be friends, he's not the one for you, someone else is meant for you instead, he likes someone else...' and when you've invested so much in someone you "loved" (I'm beginning to think now that my feelings have been been re-inforced by the readings) - nothing hurts more to be told all that after waiting so long for their so called outcome :( They made me think I'd finally found someone special...I hadn't...
AI certainly don't believe we're 'soul mates' anymore...it was just a strong attraction, simple as, simple human attraction.
And what's worse, some even made extra predictions about my career in these 'love readings' without me even asking...a load of stuff about a 'huge life changing opportunity' coming my way...has it happened? Of course not. Nothing they told me ever did and ever will and I'm just so glad I've realised that now and I know once the hurt and embarrassment dies down, I'll be ok.
I offer my heart and love to you people and my thanks for making me feel less alone and less stupid...and realising that it's just a big vicious circle that leads to emotional and finanicial ruin. I'm just glad I've realised after a few months and not a few years. I am going to cancel my ebay account and move on as best I can.
Probably the worse thing out of this is that my faith is completely dashed, I had a huge interest in the paranormal and spiritual world's and a lot of the readings I had were angel cards, I loved angel's...found it all fascinating and beautiful, found comfort in it. Now, I hate it, I was lied to and decieved, I have thrown my angel cards in the bin and no longer pray or ask for 'help' - I have detailed ALL the readings and I am going it alone and intend to for the forseeable...you can only trust yourself.