What is a Shopping Addiction?A shopping addiction is not the fun it seems. This is compulsive spending. Learn to stop being addicted to spending - stop the addiction and be debt free.
This addiction is similar to all the other compulsive behaviors – food, alcohol, gambling, compulsive sex, etc. These are considered impulse control behaviors –just like the saying ‘shop till you drop’. That’s what they do. And as with other addictions, this one can drive you and everyone else crazy.When a shopper is on a binge they’ll fill up their carts with just about anything. They think that their purchases will make them happy, but they’re just compensating of something else that’s missing in their lives. The compulsive shopper may be in a loveless relationship, lonely, depressed, angry, there are many reasons that they temporarily want to zone out of the real world but the end result is worse. After the ‘high’ of compulsive spending there is a low. There’s no escape from the real world – and when you have a shopping addiction you feel even worse when you come down from the spending. Now you have all these ‘things’ – and maybe debt. It’s meaningless. A shopping addiction is only a temporary escape from anxiety, anger, etc. for what’s really going on in life.
The Compulsive ShopperIs this you? You go on shopping binges. Winter boot sale – must have. You went in for 1 pair and bought more than you expected you would.When you’re feeling down, you pick yourself up with ‘retail therapy’. Like a drug addict or an alcoholic, you get a ‘rush’ with compulsive spending. You come home with articles that you don’t even need or want. You know your compulsive spending can be out of your control.
Effects of a Shopping AddictionDepression Debt Feelings of Shame Relationship Problems Low Self Esteem Powerlessness Addicted to SpendingThis addiction affects more women than men, but men are not out of the woods. The behavior is not about the possessions. It’s about the temporary escape that spending money gives. Like any other addict, there is denial about the problem. They always say that it will never happen again……until the next time. Many compulsive shoppers cannot pay their bills, have bad credit and may have legal problems. If this is you, you can be helped by Debtors Anonymous They may have purchases in unopened boxes and item with price tags hanging in their closets. Like I said, this addiction is not about needing the article. It’s about the ‘high’ of getting it. Stop the AddictionLike any addiction, the compulsive shopper can be helped with counseling. Your thoughts can also be controlled with anti-anxiety medication. Speak to you Dr. about this. You can also be helped by
coaching for a shopping addiction
to give you tools and strategies to stop the triggers that are directly related to you. This may be exactly the support that you need.
Stop Being a Compulsive ShopperMake a shopping list and stick to itDon’t shop alone Use credit cards for emergency only Pay with cash, debit card, or personal check Don’t shop on line, the ‘shopping channel’ Ebay, by phone etc. When you have the urge to ‘shop’ call a friend, go to the gym, do something else Always plan your shopping trips Ask yourself ‘is this a want or a need?’ before you spend anything.
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