Shopping is a well-loved past time for many women (and some men). It is usually harmless (except to your bank), but when it becomes an addiction or a compulsive habit, it can have an impact on one's mental well-being and require control and treatment.
The signs of compulsive buying disorder (CBD) (also known as Oniomania)
Shopping is an activity that should make one feel better - when purchasing a necessity or a beloved item, it should make one feel accomplished or even relieved. Compulsive shopping and spending, on the other hand, usually makes one feel guilty.
Typical signs include:
- Buying more than one can afford and being in debt
- Hiding the things they buy, especially from family
- Emotional "blackout" - forgetting the things they bought, usually because they bought too much, or because they are guilty and choose to forget
- Legal, social and relationship problems due to shopping habit.
- Being in denial about their problem
- Often buying lots more than what they intended to buy
- In possession of lots of unused items
- Buying to soothe emotional discomfort rather than due to needing or wanting the item
Why people indulge in compulsive shopping
Compulsive shopping can occur when one feels stressed, depressed, anxious or lonely, especially during the holiday season. Making a purchase can give rise to a moment of ecstasy, perhaps a bit like what smoking or drugs do (though to a less harmful extent), but as material possessions does not provide more love, boost self-esteem or heal hurts, stress and problems of daily living, it only adds on to emotional and financial burden.
In serious cases, it can even cause one to become suicidal. Last year, a student from China committed suicide because she spent all her tuition money on online shopping. Never underestimate how addictions can ruin one's life.
How to control this condition
The condition is a lot more manageable if the sufferer is not in denial of his/her problem. Here are some simple tips that can be used to keep spending in check
- Hide away / cut up credit cards. Only pay for purchases by cash and debit card that draw money from a separate bank account that has been allocated a sum of money for spending
- Avoid discount warehouses, the attractive ad copies and prices tend to make one buy in bulk
- Avoid shopping online. Buying online tends to lead to failure to keep track of purchases and expenses, until the parcel and the bill come.
- When travelling, the urge for extraneous purchases tends to kick in (there's that added excuse of "I can't find this in my country). If you're traveling with someone else, have that person remind you when you attempt to make unnecessary purchases. Dedicate more time and money to sightseeing and food; after all, travelling is about widening horizons, not wallets. Avoid the souvenir shops; those are gimmicks meant to milk innocent tourists of their money.
- Do something else when the urge to shop kicks in, like going out for a walk/jog, watching funny videos on youtube, reading a book etc.
If the condition still seems unmanageable, or if the sufferer is in denial, seek the help of a professional counsellor or a support group.
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