Wendel Abel
'Born to shop. Shop 'til you drop. I bought another five pairs of shoes to add to my collection of 85 pairs. I walked out of the store, filled with pleasure.'
- Ann Marie
ANN MARIE, like many persons, has a shopping addiction, which is also referred to as compulsive shopping or compulsive spending. The scientific term is oniomania. Individuals may become addicted to buying anything - clothes, antique furniture, art or collectibles. Although it is not recognised as a true disorder, it may be as a result of other mental disorders, such as bipolar disorder, severe depression, anxiety and stress reactions.
Many persons become shopaholics during periods of great distress and grief. After Elizabeth lost her son, she went on a spending binge. "During my grief, it was the only thing that made me happy," she commented.
Most persons enjoy shopping. Following a shopping spree, many individuals get a high, due to the brain being stimulated to produce chemicals like endorphins and dopamine. For some individuals, compulsive spending is due to impulsive behaviour and a lack of self-control.
LACKING PURPOSE
Excessive shopping may be due to an empty self and a life that is lacking in meaning and purpose, so we turn to the material things to provide pleasure and boost our self-esteem and self-worth. Unfortunately, advertising and merchants play upon our weakness and many persons fall prey.
We live in an age where going to the mall has become the main form of entertainment, and many persons have become addicted to this. In shopping addiction, you are no longer in control of the shopping, instead, the shopping controls you.
Are you addicted to shopping?
Here are some features associated with shopping addiction:
Compulsive shopping, which is excessive and out of control.
Uncontrollable desire to shop and difficulty controlling spending.
Shopping to relieve boredom, anxiety, depression and stress.
Rewarding self by going on a spending spree.
Feeling good while shopping, but feeling guilty afterwards.
Hiding objects that you have purchased or covering up debts.
Spending over budget and always justifying it.
Purchasing items that have never been used.
What are the consequences of shopping addiction?
The addiction may result in financial destruction as a result of excessive borrowing and credit card bills. Many persons get caught in a debt trap as a result of excessive spending. It may also affect their family and other relationships.
Here are tips for dealing with the problem:
Admit that you have a problem with shopping and spending; this is the basis for overcoming the problem.
Avoid the people, places and things that will make you spend.
Avoid the places you tend to spend at - your favourite store, the antique dealer, the art gallery or the discount mall.
Avoid the company of persons who will encourage you to shop. Some persons deal with their addiction by encouraging others to shop. They literally get their pleasure seeing others purchase goods.
If a mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety or grief is the basis of your problem, seek professional help.
Compile a shopping list and stick to it.
Distinguish your needs from your wants.
Destroy your credit cards; keep one only for emergency. Pay for purchases with cash and debit cards only.
Seek professional help if your spending is out of control. You may call 922-3216.
Dr. Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
