Treating yourself to a new outfit or handbag can be a fantastic endorphin rush and a great way to reward yourself from time to time. However, treating yourself to an expensive handbag every week can lead to financial difficulties, rocky relationships, and a guilty conscience.
The term ‘shopaholic’ has been around for decades, with Carrie Bradshaw and the girls pioneering the ‘shop till you drop’ trend. While shopping is fun, it can also become an addiction for some people and lead to serious consequences. Compulsive Buying Disorder is a behavioural disorder defined as an obsession to buy things. The person may be unable to control their spending and have an undeniable urge to buy things.
Here are a few signs that you might be a shopaholic:
You may have items in your closet that have been unopened or still have tags on. The chances are you have so many new items coming in, and out of your wardrobe, you forget about most of them. The rush of excitement and happiness comes from purchasing the product – not from actually wearing it.
You find yourself buying things after an argument of a bad day to fill the void. Shopping makes you feel better and improves your self-esteem and confidence. However, after purchasing the items, you feel guilty and even worse about yourself than before. You feel remorse and frustration that you can’t control your shopping habit. The rush quickly dissipates after you have clicked the ‘purchase’ button.
Shopaholics tend to buy things they don’t need for the sake of a good deal. Sales can be a shopaholics kryptonite. You may find that you live beyond your means, and your shopping carries you into debt.
Shopping addiction is common for those with depression, anxiety, and other mental illness disorders. It’s used as a coping mechanism.
Fortunately, there are ways to improve this unhealthy behaviour.
You can seek professional help if you’re shopping is completely out of control. A counsellor can help manage your shopping addiction and find healthier ways to cope with your emotional struggles.
Or, you can ditch the credit cards and start using a prepaid debit card with only the amount you want to spend. Say goodbye to going over your credit limit and panicking about the massive incoming bill.
Before purchasing anything, you need to think about whether you will use it after a week or a month. You may see something you like in the store, walk out and come back the next day if you still like it. After a little professional help, you may be able to approach shopping with a healthier mindset.
Always reach out to your support system and ask them for help with your problem.
