Stinginitis

Stinginitis (/ˌstin-jə-ˈnī-tīs/) Noun 1. A chronic, untreatable psychological/behavioral condition defined by extreme stinginess despite having an abundance of resources (food, money, supplies, etc.). 2. An irrational, fearful refusal to share what one owns, driven by a self-created illusion of scarcity. Stinginitis sufferers become anxious, possessive, and visibly annoyed when asked to share, viewing generosity as a personal attack. This condition commonly flares up around food, money, alcohol, and personal possessions. Not to be confused with Greed: Greed is an active desire to acquire more than needed. Stinginess is a passive, fearful refusal to let go of what is already owned. Greed is driven by hunger; stinginess, by fear. A person can be both. Key Signs: Hoarding supplies, rationing food, intently monitoring consumption of shared items, expressing visible annoyance when others take a second helping, sending payment requests for minuscule amounts, and aggressively defending personal items even when they are abundant. Severity Scale: Stage 1 (Mild): Shares, but follows up with complaints, sighs, or guilt-trips. Stage 2 (Moderate): Implements strict rules, portions, and conditions for sharing. Stage 3 (Severe / Terminal): Treats sharing as a hostile attack, aggressively enforcing ownership despite extreme abundance. Note: Stinginitis is non-contagious and has no known cure. Trying to reason with a patient during a flare-up is ineffective.