In a society geared to sell us things at every turn, it is no surprise that most of us overspend from time to time. But there’s a difference between the occasional splurge and being unable to stop ourselves from buying new items.
Shopping addiction, also known as oniomania or compulsive buying disorder, may be more socially acceptable than other forms of addiction. But it can be just as damaging.
Chasing the euphoria of a new purchase can lead to issues with relationships and self-esteem. And overspending inevitably causes problems with money, including debt.
When shopping is an unavoidable part of daily life, recognizing that spending behavior has gotten out of hand can be tricky. Many people go overboard with purchases on occasion and spend more than they planned.
At what point does a shopping splurge stop being an acceptable indulgence and become an addiction?
What is Shopping Addiction?
Like any form of addiction, shopping addiction is a psychological condition. People experiencing this form of addiction regularly go on spending sprees and find it difficult to stop, even though they can see the negative consequences of their behavior.
While some experts question whether compulsive buying should be classed as a true addiction, there’s no doubt that those struggling with shopping addiction present similar symptoms.
Although there’s no artificial chemical high involved, compulsive shoppers will experience feelings of euphoria and excitement when they shop. They use the high that they get from buying new items as an emotional crutch. They often feel out of control when they shop and find it extremely hard to resist the urge to spend.
Compulsive shoppers feel a craving to shop. When they haven’t purchased anything for a while, they begin to feel tense. They might buy items simply to relieve that tension.
Because the reward comes more from the shopping experience than from the actual items they purchase, compulsive shoppers may end up not using their new possessions or using them much less than they expected. This can lead to hoarding.
Although they may dedicate time and energy to planning their shopping trip, compulsive shoppers often make the decision to purchase additional items impulsively.
Online shopping has made following the desire even harder to resist, as there is less of a physical barrier to accessing shopping websites than brick-and-mortar shops.
Those struggling with a shopping addiction are often aware that their behavior is out of control. They might experience feelings of guilt or shame following a spree.
They may also attempt to hide their spending from those close to them. This can involve lying or hiding purchases. Compulsive shoppers often shop alone, and they may dedicate a significant amount of time to shopping, neglecting other forms of entertainment.
Of course, one of the most impactful negative effects of shopping addiction is on the person’s finances. Because they find it so difficult to resist the urge to purchase, compulsive shoppers often spend more money than they have.
This can easily lead to debt, as well as affecting their relationship with their loved ones.
Who is at risk of shopping addiction?
Although there are no official statistics, the estimate is that around 5-6% of Americans experience shopping addiction.
Both men and women can develop an addiction to shopping. Some studies suggest that it is more common in women, but others have found no difference between the genders.
Shopping addiction typically develops early in adulthood, or even in late adolescence, perhaps because this is when people first begin to have control of their own finances and income. But it can continue to be an issue throughout life, so people of any age may display addictive behavior around shopping.
Like other forms of behavioral addiction, compulsive shopping is often used as a distraction from negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
There’s evidence to suggest that shopping addiction is more common in people who are also struggling with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. It may also run in families.
People who put a lot of importance on material things may also be more likely to develop an addiction to shopping. They may see their purchases as a way to impress or build relationships with others.
Symptoms of Shopping Addiction
Since shopping has become a common leisure activity, it might be hard to notice when your enjoyment of shopping has turned into an addiction. Some symptoms that might show up include:
- Feeling out of control while shopping
- Regularly spending more than you can afford
- Lying to friends and family about shopping and money
- Distracting yourself from negative emotions by buying new things
- Feeling shame or guilt after a shopping spree
- Not being able to resist purchasing items, even when you are trying not to
- Taking out new credit cards to continue shopping, without paying off the balance on your existing cards first
- Hoarding unused items and buying things you don’t have a use for
Treatment for Shopping Addiction
Coping with a shopping addiction can be tough. Some purchases are a necessary fact of everyday life – groceries, fuel, and household items do have to be topped up regularly. And companies spend thousands of dollars every year developing new ways to make us want to buy.
Learning to manage the addictive behavior and find a healthy balance is very possible. But you don’t need to tackle it on your own.
Asking family or a close friend for help can be a good first step. Someone you trust might be able to take control of your finances for a while, so you can avoid making spending decisions while you are working on recovery.
Seeking professional help is another positive step in managing any form of addiction, including compulsive buying disorder. A trained therapist can assist you with developing alternative coping methods, so you have options other than shopping to turn to when you are feeling anxious or stressed.
You can see a therapist while continuing with your usual life. But sometimes a short residential stay can give you the space you need to work on your addiction without the distractions of day-to-day life.
Here at Tikvah Lake, we develop personalized treatment plans to help you address whatever problems you are dealing with. We have particular expertise in addiction and in dual diagnoses – where your addiction presents alongside other issues, such as depression or anxiety.
Our experienced and friendly team will be more than happy to talk you through the options. Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help you, or someone you care about.
References
Black, D. W. (2007). A review of compulsive buying disorder. World Psychiatry, 6(1), 14.
Granero, R., Fernández-Aranda, F., Mestre-Bach, G., Steward, T., Baño, M., del Pino-Gutiérrez, A., … & Jiménez-Murcia, S. (2016). Compulsive buying behavior: clinical comparison with other behavioral addictions. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 914.
Lawrence, L. M., Ciorciari, J., & Kyrios, M. (2014). Relationships that compulsive buying has with addiction, obsessive-compulsiveness, hoarding, and depression. Comprehensive psychiatry, 55(5), 1137-1145.
Lejoyeux, M., Richoux-Benhaim, C., Löhnardt, H., & Lequen, V. (2011). Money attitude, self-esteem, and compulsive buying in a population of medical students. Frontiers in psychiatry, 2, 13.
Zhao, H., Tian, W., & Xin, T. (2017). The development and validation of the online shopping addiction scale. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 735.
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