Addicted to Psychics: 'I Would Get High'
Have ever visited or called a psychic? Was it beneficial?
On Wednesday's show, Anderson launches his own hidden camera investigation into the world of psychics, an approximately $2-billion industry, to see how psychics lure and prey upon unsuspecting customers -- specifically single professional women.
Anderson sends two correspondents, actress Annie Shiffmann and WPIX reporter Debra Alfarone, undercover around New York City, posing as a woman and her best friend looking for a psychic.
In this clip from the show, Annie talks about how the psychics they visited looked for hints from Annie's workplace prior to doing a reading.
Watch Anderson discuss the psychics' big "out" when they make a mistake during a reading…
As part of the show, Anderson's guest, Sarah, talks about her addiction to psychics. She compares the addiction she had to psychics to the addiction drug users have to drugs.
"I couldn't get through a day without calling. At my worst I called 10 in a day," Sara says. "I completely lost my mind, and I run a support group now. I have over 1,000 members."
Sara told Anderson that while many people get roped into the psychic world, they often become addicted and cannot afford to keep up with their impulsive urges to seek psychic advice.
If you've visited or called a psychic, how much money did you spend?
Betty spends around $30,000 a year on psychics, and explains to Anderson that they provide her happiness. "It's like counseling," says Betty. "You go there, and you talk to them. It makes you feel good. Her husband Steve explains, "It's more therapy for her."
"It's not like therapy," says Anderson. "In therapy it's concrete solutions to improve your life. This is like magical thinking."
What do you think? Does visiting a psychic offer the same healing as visiting a therapist? If you've visited a psychic and a therapist, is it a similar experience for you?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
MORE FROM ANDERSON:
Poll: How Much Money Have You Spent on Psychics?
If You Suspect You Are Addicted to Psychics...
Organized Psychic Crime: 'A Big Deal'
Do You Think There Are Good Psychics?
