What makes a shopaholic

While this is often described as one of the most socially acceptable addictions, this behavioral addiction can create serious problems in a person's life. What are the symptoms of being a shopaholic? In popular culture, the image of a compulsive shopper is a cheerful, superficial young woman concerned with little more than the latest shoes and handbags.

The popularity of the "Confessions of a Shopaholic" books and movie speaks to the appeal of this image. Research paints a different picture of this poorly understood condition. However, it is important to remember that shopping addictions may form for a number of reasons. Take a closer look at some of the key characteristics that people with shopping addictions tend to share.

Often lonely and isolated, the shopping experience provides the shopaholic with positive interactions with salespeople and the hope that what they have bought will improve their relationships with others. The good news if you are a shopaholic is that having a kind, agreeable disposition will make it easier for you to establish a good therapeutic relationship if you seek treatment for your addiction. This personality type may also predispose you to follow the advice of your therapist and to be influenced by the positive encouragement of others in group therapy.

Low self-esteem is one of the most commonly found characteristics in studies of the shopaholic personality. Shopping is a way of trying to improve self-esteem, particularly when the desired object is associated with an image of what the shopper wants to be.

However, low self-esteem can also be a consequence of shopping addiction, particularly as debt can intensify feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness. Excessive shopping can often become a crutch to cope with emotions.

People find themselves buying things to make themselves feel better when they are sad, stressed, angry, bored, or afraid. The good news is that with deeper self-reflection, perhaps with the help of a therapist, you will realize there is much to truly value about yourself, such as your kindly disposition, mentioned above.

As well as a general tendency for emotional instability or mood swings, studies have also found that shopping addicts often suffer from anxiety and depression. The good news is that both anxiety and depression can be treated with psychological therapies and medication, if necessary. These treatments are much more effective than the short-lived thrill of buying. Impulses are natural — a sudden, intense urge to do something grips you, and you feel the need to act.

When does excessive buying become a disorder? For the first time, international experts in psychology have built a framework to diagnose Compulsive Buying-Shopping Disorder — promising help for people struggling to manage their spending behaviour and mental wellbeing.

The new guidelines, published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions , confirms that excessive buying and shopping can be so serious as to constitute a disorder, giving researchers and clinicians new powers to develop more targeted interventions for this debilitating condition.

The phenomenon of excessive or uncontrolled buying or shopping has been described in a clinical setting for more than a century. Surprisingly, to date there is no formally accepted diagnosis for the disorder, despite being a highly prevalent, disabling and growing problem that contributes to overconsumption and debt. These are: A sense of arousal before going shopping followed by pleasure or gratification while shopping and a loss of arousal as well as experiencing feelings of remorse after shopping.

Those suffering from a compulsive buying disorder can seek shopping addiction treatment from a treatment center, therapist, or psychologist despite the lack of a quantified, well-defined diagnosis since the underlying issues are indeed psychological. Please call our toll free number at if you have any questions concerning the causes of compulsive spending or ways to help treat this addictive behavior.

Addictions are two-pronged: Physical — the individual shops to get the rush of brain chemicals needed to feel high. Psychological — the addict seeks to purchase items to help them cope with life, and intense anxiety is felt in the absence of their addictive activity. Some of you may recognize the word from the popular book series from the s by Sophie Kinsella. The series has 10 books—one of which has been made into a movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic —and follows the adventures of devout shopper Becky Bloomwood.

Otherwise you get bored and stop enjoying yourself. However, some people consider it to be a very serious and widespread problem that can cause grave social, financial, and emotional effects.

The language we use can be costly as well.