Shopping Addiction
Shopping is an integral part of our lives, and sometimes it is also a source of pleasure and satisfaction. But what happens when it goes beyond reasonable limits and becomes a compulsive pattern that harms personal, emotional and financial life? Shopping addiction is a more common phenomenon than you think, and sometimes it indicates a deep need to deal with painful emotions or a feeling of emptiness.
How to recognize shopping addiction
A diagnosis of shopping addiction is made by a professional who specializes in treating addictions. Not every shopping trip is necessarily proof of shopping addiction. Let's say you need a certain item and are able to purchase it, in a store or online, sometimes you can choose to compare prices, you may have hesitations or need to consult, but at the end of the process you will purchase the item you need. On the other hand, there are cases when you simply feel like purchasing a certain item, even without a real need. As long as it's a one-time occurrence (or at least one that happens infrequently) and doesn't get you into financial trouble, it's human and reasonable. However, when it comes to an uncontrollable urge to shop, not necessarily for items you need and on a frequent basis, you can recognize that there's a problem. Addicts who deal with shopping addiction often purchase products they don't really need, to the point where they stay in the packaging and are never opened. If you recognize yourself in this description, it's worth checking what's going on and, if necessary, getting treatment.
Signs of potential shopping addiction
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Persistent urge to buy -
Emotional escape -
Concealing the purchases -
Financial harm
- Persistent urge to buy: Feelings of momentary excitement and enthusiasm during the purchase itself, but after a short time, they are replaced by shame and guilt.
- Emotional escape: Shopping serves as a way to cope with feelings of stress, loneliness or anxiety. The "coping" is only temporary, and after a short time, the burdensome feelings return to haunt.
- Concealing the purchases: Hiding the purchases from other family members for fear of criticism, which indicates awareness of the problematic behavior.
- Financial harm: Uncontrollable financial expenses, which can lead to debt and significant financial crises.
Causes of shopping addiction
Shopping addiction is a common phenomenon, especially among women, and often begins in the late 20s. Many emotional and psychological factors can lead to this addiction:
Family background
When emotions and love are translated into materialism, for example, when instead of giving love and attention money is given, difficulty may develop in expressing emotions in other ways.
Mental defenses
Shopping addiction may serve as a defense mechanism against emotional pain, and feelings such as helplessness or jealousy, by maintaining a "distance" from internal emotions.
Gap between outside and inside
Addicts strive to project success outwardly, but in reality, their internal experience is one of weakness, meaninglessness, and emotional emptiness.
The cycle of addiction
The cycle of addiction begins with a feeling of emptiness or low self-worth. When a person feels this way, they chase the apparent relief that they supposedly find in shopping. When it comes time to deal with the financial and emotional implications, the feeling of relief is replaced by guilt and self-criticism, and the urge to shop returns again and again. Without treatment, this cycle can continue forever.
Shopping addiction treatment
Dealing with shopping addiction is a journey in which the patient learns to identify the pain that leads to the addiction and replace it with meaningful relationships. Instead of buying things they don't need, they work on developing relationships with friends and family.
That is, treatment is not about completely avoiding shopping, but rather about replacing the need to shop with genuine love and support that will help create a more balanced and healthier life. In other words: Buying less is better than buying a lot.
Principles of shopping addiction care
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1In-depth therapeutic work
The treatment focuses on understanding the emotional factors that created the addiction. For example, loneliness, emptiness, being fired from a job, low self-esteem, childhood traumas. Patients will work in therapy to get to know themselves better and identify what they feel and how to express it. Emotional and self-expression does not have to be only through objects and external signs. In therapy, they also work on strengthening their sense of self-worth and love in their close relationships.
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2Focus on minimizing harm
Instead of striving to avoid shopping completely, the goal is to control the addictive behavior and reduce its negative impact.
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3Replacing shopping with developing relationships
Creating and developing meaningful human connections that provide love and visibility. These connections help fill the feeling of emptiness and break the cycle of addiction.
Help and support in finding appropriate treatment for shopping addicts
If someone you care about is struggling with shopping addiction, there are several ways you can support them:
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Suggest they join self-help groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), a 12-step program. While there isn't a specific group for shopping addiction, these groups can be beneficial as they address common characteristics of various addictions.
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Research available treatment options through their health insurance provider or the Ministry of Health website, and offer assistance in making the necessary contacts.
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If possible, provide support by accompanying them to their first meeting at a self-help group, clinic, or therapy session.