Spending & Shopping Addiction

Spending & Shopping Addiction Statistics

Shopping addiction can have many harmful consequences. Among compulsive shoppers, two groups of people who seem especially vulnerable are college students, where 8% of the population are compulsive shoppers, and women, who may comprise up to 92% of compulsive shoppers.

• 58% have large debts
• 42% are unable to meet the payments on their debt
• 45% experience guilt about their shopping
• 33% have family and friends concerned or critical about their shopping
• 8% have financial legal problems
• 8% have criminal legal problems

Causes of Spending or Shopping Addiction

Most causes for compulsive shopping are psychological. Difficulty in controlling the urge to shop or spend emerges from a personality pattern shared by shopaholics and differentiates them from other people. Often low in self-esteem, they are easily influenced and are often kindhearted, sympathetic to others, although often lonely and isolated. The tend to be more materialistic than other shoppers and can seek status via material objects and approval from others. They engage in fantasy more that other people, and as people with other addictions, have a hard time resisting their impulses. As a result, they are more vulnerable to marketing and advertising messages that inundate us daily.

Some of the psychological conditions associated with compulsive shopping are:

• Emotional deprivation in childhood
• Inability to tolerate negative feelings
• Need to fill an inner void, emptiness inside
• Excitement seeking
• Approval seeking
• Perfectionism
• Genuinely impulsive and compulsive
• Need to gain control

Some behaviors and emotions which may be associated with shopping addiction:

• Reacts to disappointment, stress, anger or fear by shopping
• A feeling that spending habits are out of control and are causing friction or conflict with family and loved ones
• Experiencing a feeling of euphoria and/or anxiety while shopping
• Experiencing a sense of getting away with something forbidden while shopping
• Guilt or remorse after shopping, especially when breaking a promise to self or loved one not to shop
• Purchasing items that are never or rarely used—in other words, buying for no reason other than to spend
• Lying about one’s extensive shopping habits to friends and family
• A preoccupation with credit cards and finances built around how much one has spent, how much one will have to spend on shopping, and creative juggling of various accounts to make shopping possible.

Signs and Symptoms of Spending or Shopping Addiction

Psychologists call it a compulsive buying disorder, and it is characterized as an impulse-control issue, just like gambling or binge eating. Compulsive buying disorder, compulsive shopping has the potential to create a whirlwind of emotional and financial distress.

Here are some of the telltale signs of a compulsive spender or shopper:

• Many unopened or tagged items in the closet
• Purchasing things you don’t need or didn’t plan to buy
• An argument or frustration sparks an urge to shop
• Experiencing a rush of excitement when buying
• Feelings of remorse following spending/shopping
• Attempting to hide or conceal purchases or shopping habits
• A feeling of anxiety when abstaining from shopping
• Shopping/spending beyond your means

Compulsive Spending & Shopping Treatment Options

If the characteristics above sound a lot like you or someone you know, don’t worry just yet. If you are unsure as to whether you really have a problem, a first step of evaluating why you’re always shopping and how you can change can be helpful — to both your well-being and your budget.

Fortunately, there is hope! Below are some ways to help you kick a shopping habit:

• Find a new activity to replace time spent shopping/replace with a healthy activity such as: Exercising, Yoga, listening to music, Meditation, reading— any of these activities can potentially be a substitute for shopping and will be a much lighter burden on your wallet.
• Identify triggers. Take note of what’s likely to send you off to the nearest department store. Is it an argument with a loved one or frustration after a business meeting? When these feelings overcome you, resist shopping at all costs and find a healthier way to work through it.
• Remove temptation. It’s no secret that you shouldn’t stroll through your favorite boutique if you’re trying to curb your spending. Limit shopping trips and go only when necessary. If online shopping is your weakness, resist the urge to surf your favorite sites and even consider keeping your laptop out of reach.
• Carry only enough cash to buy what you need. Leave your debit and credit cards at home. Create a shopping list with estimated costs and stick to it when you’re at the store.

If you are struggling with compulsive spending or shopping - or another disorder or addiction, or know someone else who is, there are many helpful options available to you. Debtors Anonymous and Shopaholics Anonymous are proven 12 step programs for people who share a common desire to develop functional and healthy relationships. Individual counseling, family counseling and therapy for compulsive shopping & spending are great treatment options, as well as Treatment Centers.