Armchair psych moment:
This compulsive buying disorder shit explains the cycles we see him go through, 15% of people with it are also borderline, and a large % have eating disorders one of which is binge eating disorder.
This naturally doesn't excuse Lou. He is seeking the high of being a spoiled brat he had a child which aligns with his bratty behavior now, and has fixated on how he feels after purchasing an item he wants to achieve it. Moreover in other articles it details that brand obsession can play a part in this, and Lou details the specific brands he buys in a major way.
Conclusion: even if true Lou still sucks and would be wasting a doctor or therapist's time because when has no desire to improve himself. That said his purchases baffle us because they are the product of pathology and so won't make sense to a healthier mind than his.