It has been common for people to proudly describe themselves as ‘born to shop’ or a ‘shopaholic’, yet there are some for whom the idea of being addicted to shopping is a genuine condition. The need for ‘retail therapy’ is a much stronger impulse in excessive or compulsive buyers.
It’s no joke: compulsive buying has been classified as a psychiatric disorder. It is identified as an urge to spend that is so overwhelming the person is unable to control it. Compulsive buying disorder is said to affect up to 10 per cent of adults in Western developed countries, with 70-80 per cent of those being young women.
Many compulsive buyers also suffer from other self-control disorders including gambling addiction, eating disorders and severe mood swings. Medical studies of compulsive buyers have identified that they tend to have fewer dopamine receptors, thus giving them a need to seek vicarious thrills. Unlike other thrill seekers, compulsive buyers don’t decide to run marathons, backpack around world or throw themselves off tail bridges with bungee ropes tied to their ankles; instead they seek the instant gratification of shopping – making purchases that they believe, in that initial moment, will make them more beautiful, successful or happy.
Psychologists have related compulsive buying to a need to escape: most usually trying to escape one’s own self. Typically these people set extremely high standards for themselves that they are unable to meet. This is turn leads to a feeling of failure, anxiety and depression. When these negatives feelings become too strong they try to block them out by focusing on a very low level task like shopping. The long term consequences such as debt are overridden by the need to feel instantly better about oneself.
A milder from of the disorder is known as excessive buying. This is far more common place and, as long as the person has enough money to pay for their spending habit, society does not even view it as a problem. You know you’re in trouble when:
1. Shopping boosts your mood initially but later leaves you feeling anxious, guilty or depressed.
2. You often feel compelled to by things you don’t need and/or can’t afford.
3. Some purchases are never used (and some even have the price tag still attached).
4. You hide or lie about purchases to others.
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