momlogic's Vivian: You just can't keep a good shopaholic down!

According to the New York Daily News, "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice blew through more than $60K on luxuries last fall -- "just days" after declaring bankruptcy for owing creditors something to the tune of $10 million bucks! 

Her lawyer, Jim Kriedel, told People that the cash was book-advance money and Giudice was fully entitled to do what she wanted with it. "Since she earned it after the filing, she was absolutely free to spend it," he said. He went on to say that she needed furniture "consistent with her style on the show" -- which we all know was CRAZY opulent.

Giudice and her hubs are due to auction off a bunch of their stuff -- including a suit of armor (?!) and their wedding rings (?!?) -- but that's expected to only bring in a little over $50K.

What would compel a woman in so much debt to spend so much the minute she got her hands on some cash?

Our expert, clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Golland, says it seems like Giudice is deep in the throes of some extreme addiction issues.

"Spending money is a high," says Dr. Golland. "We feel that if we have these objects, then we are full and complete. It's a battle between the internal and the external, and believing that the external things make us feel better. There's this constant building up of the external, but as you do that, the internal is shrinking because you are so unaware. You might be anxious or depressed. With anxiety, it's a vicious cycle because you shop, you feel better, then you worry about what you spent. With depression, you might be unhappy with yourself, your role or your life, and you want to avoid those feelings."

Yeah, but isn't $60K some serious avoidance?

"People's shopping addictions are relevant to their lifestyle," says Dr. Golland. "Someone like her, who is dealing with all these money issues, will aspire to what's just out of reach. They want to be able to keep their status going. Out of all the 'Housewives' on that show -- on camera, at least -- she spends the most. You can see it: She and her husband fought a lot over money. You see that it's this compulsive perfectionism. She's trying to retain something to feel good, to feel of value. It's so out of control."

Word up! Especially since a lot of folks these days would be more than happy to live on $60K a year!