Shopping Addiction

Signs that you may have a shopping disorder include:

• Compulsive buying, especially when items are not needed.
• Feelings of euphoria while spending money.
• Feelings of guilt, shame or embarrassment after shopping.
• Consistently spending over your budget.
• Uncontrollable spending.
• Attempting to hide the problem (hiding purchases, destroying credit card bills, etc.).
• Isolation from loved ones.
• Frequent lying or intentional manipulation of loved ones to continue shopping.
• Continuing to shop despite the consequences.
• Shopping to alleviate negative emotions, such as anger, sadness or depression.
• Exhibiting withdrawal symptoms of discomfort, sadness, and anxiety when credit cards or other sources of money are taken away.
• Preoccupation with money, store sales and making purchases.

When identifying the symptoms, it is equally important to note any other conditions that could present as compulsive buying disorder. According to an article in World Psychiatry, a shopping addiction often co-occurs with other disorders, such as substance abuse, impulse control disorders, mood disorders and eating disorders.

For example, people experiencing mania associated with bipolar disorder will often spend money recklessly, but their spending will only occur during these episodes. Additionally, someone abusing a stimulant drug like cocaine may spend wildly while under the influence of the substance. Because of these similarities, one must look at their complete symptoms in order to seek out the most helpful treatment for their situation.

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