Compulsive shopping is a serious addiction that involves spending large amounts of money and can lead to financial problems. Signs include breaking budgets, hiding purchases, and returning items. Treatment involves identifying root causes and setting specific budgets, avoiding credit cards, and seeking support.
Compulsive shopping is a form of addiction to processes where someone feels compelled to shop. This type of process addiction is also known as compulsive spending, demonstrating that compulsive shopping involves spending large amounts of money. A variety of treatments can be used to address compulsive shopping, ranging from support groups to private therapy.
While it may seem ridiculous to be “addicted to shopping,” compulsive shopping is actually a serious problem. Compulsive shoppers are actually out of control, which means they are unable to stop spending money. They may develop feelings of shame or guilt about shopping that cause them to hide shopping shipments, and they may also find themselves in dire financial straits due to compulsive spending.
Some signs of compulsive shopping include regularly breaking a set budget, shopping to feel better, failing to budget, hiding shopping shipments, and racking up extremely large balances on credit cards. A compulsive shopper may also enter a return cycle, where shame builds around a purchase and the purchase is returned, but the buyer buys more items in the store. Compulsive shoppers also tend to buy a variety of items, some of which don’t fit or seem extremely impractical.
A chronic compulsive shopper is constantly shopping to feel better and, like a pick up, becomes addicted to the shopping and shopping process. Others may become compulsive in response to holiday stress, failing relationships, or problems at work. While many of us have indulged in something special in response to depression or disturbing events, there is a stark difference between budgeting for a special treat and staying within that budget, and going splurge that goes out of check.
Treatment for compulsive shopping focuses on identifying the root causes of the problem and trying to break the habit. People prone to compulsive shopping are often encouraged to avoid owning credit cards, set very specific shopping budgets and expectations, and pay close attention to occasional shopping. For example, window shopping could be done when businesses are closed or money could be left at home to avoid impulse buys. A compulsive shopper can also seek help from a support group or ask friends and family to respect the situation and avoid triggering addictive behavior.
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