Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) is defined as excessive shopping cognitions and buying behavior that leads to distress or impairment. This chapter presents an overview of its definition and recognition, clinical symptoms, epidemiology, natural history, and both cultural and family factors. Compulsive buying disorder is found worldwide and has a lifetime prevalence of 5.8% in the U.S. general population. The disorder has a female preponderance, has an onset in the late teen years or early 20s, appears to be chronic or recurrent, and occurs mainly in women. Subjects with CBD report a preoccupation with shopping, prepurchase tension or anxiety, and a sense of relief following a purchase. Compulsive buying disorder is associated with significant psychiatric comorbidity, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, other disorders of impulse control, and Axis II disorders, although there is no special “shopping” personality. The disorder tends to run in families, and these families are filled with mood and substance use disorders.