Addiction - GENERAL - What-Is-Shopping-Addiction

What Is Shopping Addiction?

By Elizabeth Hartney

Omniomania, compulsive shopping (or what's more commonly referred to as shopping addiction), is perhaps the most socially reinforced of the behavioral addictions.

We are surrounded by advertising, telling us that buying will make us happy. We are encouraged by politicians to spend as a way of boosting the economy. And we all want to have what those around us have –- consumerism has become a measure of our social worth.

Although widespread consumerism has escalated in recent years, 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.

Almost everyone shops to some degree, but only about 6% of the U.S. population is thought to have a shopping addiction. Usually beginning in the late teens and early adulthood, shopping addiction often co-occurs with other disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, other impulse control disorders, and personality disorders.

Normal Shopping v. Shopping Addiction

So what makes the difference between normal shopping, occasional splurges, and shopping addiction? As with all addictions, shopping becomes the person’s main way of coping with stress, to the point where they continue to shop excessively even when it is clearly having a negative impact on other areas of their life. As with other addictions, finances and relationships are damaged, yet the shopping addict feels unable to stop or even control their spending.

The Controversy of Shopping Addiction

Like other behavioral addictions, shopping addiction is a controversial idea. Many experts balk at the idea that excessive spending can constitute an addiction, believing that there has to be a psychoactive substance which produces symptoms such as physical tolerance and withdrawal for an activity to be a true addiction.

There is also some disagreement among professionals about whether compulsive shopping should be considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), impulse control disorder (like pathological gambling), mood disorder (like depression), or addiction. It has been suggested that, along with kleptomania (compulsive stealing) and binge-eating disorder (BED), it be viewed as an impulsive-compulsive spectrum disorder.

How Is Shopping Addiction Like Other Addictions?

There are several characteristics that shopping addiction shares with other addictions. As with other addictions, shopping addicts become preoccupied with spending, and devote significant time and money to the activity. Actual spending is important to the process of shopping addiction; window shopping does not constitute an addiction, and the addictive pattern is actually driven by the process of spending money.

As with other addictions, shopping addiction is highly ritualized and follows a typically addictive pattern of thoughts about shopping, planning shopping trips, and the shopping act itself, often described as pleasurable, ecstatic even, and as providing relief from negative feelings. Finally, the shopper crashes, with feelings of disappointment, particularly with the him/herself.

Compulsive shoppers use shopping as a way of escaping negative feelings, such as depression, anxiety, boredom, self-critical thoughts, and anger. Unfortunately, the escape is short-lived. The purchases are often simply hoarded unused, and compulsive shoppers will then begin to plan the next spending spree. Most shop alone, although some shop with others who enjoy it. Generally, it will lead to embarrassment to shop with people who don’t share this type of enthusiasm for shopping.

What If I Have a Shopping Addiction?

Research indicates that around three-quarters of compulsive shoppers are willing to admit their shopping is problematic, particularly in areas of finances and relationships. Of course, this may reflect the willingness of those who participate in research to admit to having problems. Fortunately, although not yet well-researched, compulsive shopping does appear to respond well to a range of treatments, including medications, self help books, self help groups, financial counseling, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It should be noted, however, that although some medications show promise, results are mixed, so they should not be considered a sole or reliable treatment.

If you believe you may have a shopping addiction, discuss possible treatments with your doctor. You may also find it helpful to get financial counseling, particularly if you have run up debts by spending. It is recommended that you abstain from use of checkbooks and credit cards, as the easy access to funding tends to fuel the addiction.

Shopping only with friends or relatives who do not compulsively spend is also a good idea, as they can help you to curb your spending. Finding alternative ways of enjoying your leisure time is essential to breaking the cycle of using shopping as way of trying to feel better about yourself. Remember, you are a worthwhile person, no matter how much or how little you own.

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Quotes

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Jane S

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John

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Anonymous

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Michelle

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Gertrude

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Gertrude

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Drew

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Drew

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Stanley

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Carlo

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Sanjay

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Sally

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Ron

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Ron

"Boundaries are healthy for you and those surrounding you. I cannot change my addict’s behavior by setting rules."

Ron

"I am angry that he is using drugs in my home, and I feel out of control and helpless."

Ron

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Ron

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Alex

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Sharon

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Sharon

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Barry

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Colleen

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Manatee Mom

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Carol-Ann

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Michelle

"I had to start saying to myself the reason I don’t use drugs is because I don’t want to not because I can’t stop once I start."

Anonymous

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Tips & Hints

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Stress & Anger Management

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Self-Help Groups

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Think before

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Be committed

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Do more

Do more than you think you are going to need to do. This will help prevent relapses as you discover the power of your addiction....

Build momentum

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Reject perfection

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Relapse

While not inevitable, relapse is common. It is important to work together to prevent it, because it can happen even in good times. If a...

Reinvent your routine

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Tell your friends

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Good Self Care

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More Tips & Hints

What Is Shopping Addiction?

Downloads

Web Resources

Quotes

Tips & Hints

Look for help

Seek support from your family

No more secrets

Regain Power

Make a Life Change

Explore Your Feelings

Risks

Be Honest

Stress & Anger Management

Self-Help Groups

Think before

Be committed

Do more

Build momentum

Reject perfection

Relapse

Reinvent your routine

Tell your friends

Good Self Care

Friendship network

Acceptance

Interventions

Speak to your kids

When confronting somebody

Understand addictions

Understand that, legality aside, alcohol and nicotine and even caffeine are 'drugs'

Enjoy the little and big events of life

Rediscover the art of meaningful conversation

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