How to Find Help Treating a Shopaholic
Shopping addiction is a behavioral addiction that involves compulsive buying as a way to feel good and avoid negative feelings, such as anxiety and depression. Like other behavioral addictions, shopping addiction can take over as a preoccupation that leads to problems in other areas of your life.1
Oniomania (compulsive shopping, or what's more commonly referred to as shopping addiction) is perhaps the most socially acceptable addiction. Think about it: We are surrounded by advertising that tells us that buying will make us happy.
We are encouraged by politicians to spend as a way of boosting the economy. And, for some of us, there is an allure of wanting what everyone else seems to have. Consumerism, by our intentions or not (or some combination), has become a measure of social worth.
Although widespread consumerism has escalated recently, shopping addiction is not a new disorder. It was recognized as far back as the early nineteenth century and was cited as a psychiatric disorder in the early twentieth century.
Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and ways to cope if you have a shopping addiction.
Signs of Shopping Addiction
Shopping addiction, also known as compulsive buying disorder, is characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying behavior that causes distress or impairment in various areas of life. Here are some signs that someone may be struggling with shopping addiction:
- Preoccupation with shopping: Constantly thinking about shopping, browsing online stores, or planning future purchases.
- Compulsive buying: Making purchases even when they are not needed, often buying items that are not within the individual's budget or means.
- Financial problems: Experiencing financial difficulties or debt as a result of excessive shopping and spending beyond one's means.
- Emotional distress: Feeling guilty, ashamed, or anxious about shopping habits, yet being unable to control them.
- Interpersonal issues: Strained relationships with family or friends due to shopping behaviors, or hiding purchases from loved ones.
- Negative impact on daily life: Spending excessive amounts of time shopping or recovering from shopping, neglecting responsibilities, or experiencing problems at work or school due to shopping habits.
- Attempts to stop or reduce shopping: Trying unsuccessfully to cut back on shopping or control spending, despite recognizing its negative impact.
- Using shopping as a coping mechanism: Turning to shopping as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional difficulties.
- Feeling a rush or high from shopping: Experiencing a temporary sense of excitement or pleasure when shopping, followed by feelings of guilt or remorse.
- Continued shopping despite negative consequences: Continuing to shop excessively despite negative consequences, such as financial problems, relationship issues, or emotional distress.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of shopping addiction, it may be helpful to seek support from a mental health professional or a support group specializing in addiction.
Causes of Shopping Addiction
Shopping addiction, also known as compulsive buying disorder or oniomania can arise from various factors, including psychological, social, and environmental influences. Here are some common causes:
- Psychological Factors: Impulse Control: Individuals with poor impulse control may find it difficult to resist the urge to shop excessively.
Emotional Distress: Shopping can serve as a coping mechanism for dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues.
Low Self-Esteem: Some individuals may use shopping as a way to boost their self-esteem or fill a void in their lives. - Social Influences: Peer Pressure: Pressure from friends, family, or societal norms to keep up with trends and maintain a certain lifestyle can contribute to compulsive shopping.
Media and Advertising: Constant exposure to advertisements, especially those promoting consumerism and materialism, can fuel the desire to shop excessively. - Environmental Factors: Easy Access: Online shopping platforms and credit cards make it easier than ever to shop impulsively without having to leave home or consider financial limitations.
Consumer Culture: Living in a culture that places a high value on material possessions and equates shopping with happiness can normalize compulsive buying behavior. - Genetic and Biological Factors: Some research suggests that there may be a genetic predisposition to addictive behaviors, including compulsive shopping.
Changes in brain chemistry, such as imbalances in dopamine (the "feel-good" neurotransmitter), could also play a role in addictive behaviors. - Past Experiences: Traumatic events or unresolved issues from the past may lead individuals to seek comfort or distraction through shopping.
Positive reinforcement from past shopping experiences, such as feeling a temporary sense of pleasure or relief, can reinforce the behavior. - Co-occurring Disorders: Compulsive buying disorder often coexists with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse disorders, or eating disorders.
- Financial Stress: Ironically, shopping addiction can lead to financial problems, which in turn can exacerbate the need to shop as a way to escape or alleviate stress.
Addressing shopping addiction typically requires a multifaceted approach, including therapy, support groups, financial counseling, and lifestyle changes aimed at addressing underlying issues and developing healthier coping mechanisms.
Normal Shopping vs. Shopping Addiction
Normal shopping is a regular activity that involves purchasing goods and services to fulfill basic needs or desires. It's a common and necessary part of life, where individuals buy items they need or want within their means and budget. Normal shopping is generally controlled, purposeful, and doesn't lead to significant negative consequences.
Shopping addiction, on the other hand, is a compulsive and uncontrollable behavior characterized by an excessive and frequent urge to shop, often resulting in financial, emotional, and social problems. People with a shopping addiction may shop to cope with negative emotions, seek excitement, or boost their self-esteem. They often experience guilt, remorse, or anxiety after shopping sprees but continue the behavior despite negative consequences.
While normal shopping is a healthy and necessary aspect of life, shopping addiction can disrupt one's life and relationships, leading to financial debt, conflicts, and psychological distress. It's essential to recognize the signs of shopping addiction and seek help if needed, such as therapy or support groups, to regain control and improve overall well-being.
How to Cope With Shopping Addiction
Overcoming any addiction requires learning alternative ways of handling the stress and distress of everyday existence. This can be done independently, but people often benefit from counseling or therapy.
In the meantime, there is a lot you can do to reduce the harm of compulsive spending and get the problematic behavior under control. Developing your own spending plan can be a good first step.
Other steps you can take that might help include:
- Develop other coping strategies: Finding alternative ways of enjoying your leisure time is essential to breaking the cycle of using shopping as a way of trying to feel better about yourself.
- Enlist the help of others: If someone else in your family can take responsibility for shopping for essentials, such as food and household items, it can help to delegate the responsibility to them, at least temporarily, while you seek help.
- Limit access to credit and cash: It is a good idea to get rid of credit cards and keep only a small amount of emergency cash on you, so you can't impulse buy.
- Don't shop with other compulsive shoppers: Shopping only with friends or relatives who do not compulsively spend is also a good idea, as they can help curb your spending.
Get Help for Compulsive Shopping
cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, and support groups. If you or someone you know is struggling with shopping addiction, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional. Some signs that it may be time to get help include:
- Feeling distressed or guilty about your shopping habits.
- Spending more money than you can afford on items you don't need.
- Difficulty controlling your shopping impulses.
- Neglecting responsibilities or relationships because of your shopping habits.
- Trying unsuccessfully to cut back on your shopping.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, consider reaching out to a therapist or counselor who can help you develop healthier coping mechanisms and address underlying issues contributing to the compulsive behavior.
Shopping addiction can be as distressing as any other addiction. But there is hope, and support from those around you can help you to control your spending. Remember, you are a worthwhile person, no matter how much or how little you own.
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