Signs of Shopping Addiction: Want It, Need It, Gotta Have It
Posted by Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick on September 20, 2010 in Living Well, Mind Over Money, Personal Finance
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We’re aware of the seriousness of addictions to alcohol, drugs, food, or gambling… but shopping? “Compulsive shoppers share many behavioral and psychological features with those who suffer from a variety of addictions,” says Ricardo Rieppi, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist in New York City. “They act because they have to, despite the harmful consequences.”
How Can I Tell?
He notes characteristics typical of compulsive shoppers:
- Believe shopping will minimize stress, loneliness, and boredom, despite knowing the behavior inevitably leads to more distress
- Have problems with mood, anxiety, or self-esteem
- Have poor impulse control, problems delaying gratification, and a need for sensation seeking
- Are often unclear about their financial situation and debt
- Have poor saving habits, often borrow money, fail to pay bills on time, and live paycheck to paycheck
A compulsive shopper may have other self-destructive, addictive behaviors, or the problem may be isolated to over-shopping. “Some people go through periods of reasonable shopping habits and then ‘binge’ during stressful periods or certain holiday seasons. Others have chronic problems,” Rieppi explains. Either way, compulsive shopping is a dangerous addiction, especially in uncertain financial times.
Symptoms and When To Worry
Extreme shopping, also called Omniomania, can also create and exacerbate problems in relationships and work. “The problem should become a concern when the person is affected [beyond their finances]. Unfortunately, some people need to reach rock bottom before getting help.”
Symptoms often reported by compulsive shoppers, according to Rieppi, include:
- Experiencing a “high” or “rush” when shopping, but feeling guilt or shame afterward
- Shopping when distressed or in need of a pick-me-up
- Never using purchased items or leaving price tags on
- Denying there’s a problem, despite financial issues or complaints from a spouse/partner
Being aware of the addiction isn’t enough, however, as that doesn’t always translate to setting good spending limits and budgeting. “Often the problem gets minimized and the person finds ways to work around it – borrowing money, transferring balances, etc.,” Rieppi explains.
He recommends individual psychotherapy that focuses on helping the person find more effective ways to improve self-esteem and build skills in impulse control and delayed gratification. “If possible, look for a financial advisor to help organize your finances, develop a reasonable budget, and get out of debt.”
Do you know someone who suffers from this? How did you handle it? What advice would you offer to readers who have loved ones with shopping addiction?
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