As soon as I became 21, I became aware that I had a problem with being addicted to buying. I had recently gone through the experience of having my second automobile repossessed, and my monthly cell phone bill was getting close to one thousand dollars. I couldn't contain my excitement about beginning my new position as a makeup artist at Macy's. I didn't give a damn about the people trying to collect on my loan. I had a company credit card now, and even if I didn't feel worthy on the inside, I could look worthy on the outside. This allowed me to move on. Here we are in the present day. Since I was in my late twenties, I've been able to keep my shopping addiction under control, which brings me great joy when I'm writing this. My undiagnosed mental issue caused me to spend irrationally and led to my financial problems. But I've been able to reclaim my life with the help of psychotherapy and medication. Because addiction is a personal condition that manifests itself in various ways for each person, it can be challenging to determine whether or not you have a problem. This piece will explain what shopping addiction is, how to recognize it yourself, and what measures you may take to overcome it.
What exactly is an addiction to shopping?
"A shopping addiction is a behavioral addiction in which a person purchases excessively to relieve painful negative emotions including worry, pain, and sadness," writes addictions.com. "A shopping addiction is a form of obsessive shopping." An unhealthy addiction is detrimental to one's health, but an unhealthy addiction to shopping can be just as destructive as an unhealthy addiction to a substance. You can lose friends, family, jobs, and even your future. A person addicted to shopping may also experience a loss of control over their mental and emotional health, leading to other problems such as depression. In light of this, the following are some warning signals that can help you determine whether or not you or someone you know may be in danger.Warning signs that you might have a problem with a shopping addiction
You conceal your purchases
Shopaholics often have the habit of concealing their purchases because they are embarrassed or ashamed if other people discover them and see what they have bought. It is a red flag if packages are delivered or objects are taken into the house on purpose when there will be no one around to receive them.You sneak out to do your shopping when no one will see you or when they won't notice
There is a distinction between going shopping during your lunch break because it is convenient and going shopping when no one will see you doing it. You may have a shopping addiction if you are the type of person who goes shopping frequently at times when no one else will see you. You don't want to hear another lecture or criticism about the things you've purchased or the amount of money you're spending.You choose to skip reviewing your financial statements
Shopaholics will avoid looking at their finances because it makes them feel uncomfortable or afraid of the unknown. If you continue to bury your head in the sand, it will be challenging to comprehend the seriousness of the situation regarding your entire finances. The mindset that "what you don't know can't damage you" won't protect you if you let it go unchecked for a long enough period of time.You have opened several credit cards to sustain your shopping, but you do not have the means to pay off these debts
Do you fill out applications for many store credit cards to get "discounts" when in reality, you're just looking for a way to fuel your shopping habit? In general, what are your thoughts on credit cards? Your overall credit score is heavily influenced by the number of open credit card accounts. Despite this, you are doing yourself a disservice in the long term if you open several cards and then use up their maximum credit.You go shopping because of your stress
There is a good reason why retail therapy is named retail therapy. Shopping provides many shopaholics with the quick pick-me-up they need after a stressful day or an argument with a loved one. However, retail therapy and shopping binges may quickly get out of hand and become compulsive behaviors when it comes to shopping addictions.Your loved ones have raised concerns about the way you spend money
When it comes to the people you care about, have any of them questioned how you spend your money? When my ex-boyfriend found out that I needed a longer time to process my financial aid, he declined to offer me money so that I could pay for my college tuition. His justification for this was that he was clueless about the destination of my money. Before I started keeping track of my spending, I didn't realize it either.You experience a high, yet it is followed by an immediate fall
The functioning of the human brain has a significant role in the potency of addiction. Your reward system is located in the area of your brain called the basal ganglia. You can satiate your reward system with an activity that gives you pleasure or a routine you establish for yourself. Overstimulation of the basal ganglia brings on the sensation commonly referred to as a "high." Your brain will eventually rewire itself to be satisfied with this stimulation level if you subject it to frequent overstimulation. When you aren't joyful, it can make you feel down. Because of this, you find yourself repeatedly going after the experience or maintaining the habit.After you've made some purchases, you don't feel that excited
When the high experienced earlier wears off, an addict will experience a period of depression until they can find something that satisfies them again. The loss of excitement or joy following the completion of the acquisition is an illustration of a low. Even if others want an item, it is still possible to feel depressed after purchasing.You have a lot of stuff that still have tags on them or things that you've lost track of
One of my go-to recommendations for reading when I was a senior in high school, was "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella. Becky Bloomwood, the protagonist of the story, was employed as a financial writer for a newspaper. Despite this, she had a closet stuffed to the brim with things she had forgotten about, all of which still had their tags attached. Even though I believe that having one or two items with tags is still acceptable, it is not acceptable to have multiple of these items. In retrospect, this might have been a hint or a clue, but I'm getting off-topic here.You feel irritable when you don't go out shopping
Living a life of addiction means constantly searching for the next high or a way to maintain the feeling of being high. Imagine that you are experiencing negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, or frustration because you cannot make any purchases. In such instances, this indicates that your addiction in you requires a new "hit" for you to feel good again.You frequently purchase things that you had no plans to purchase
A random item in a cart may not seem damaging, but if you have a habit of purchasing random items with no actual use or need, this can pile up.Necessary actions to take to overcome a shopping addiction
It is possible to undergo therapy for shopping addiction and fully recover from it. Note that although the procedures that follow might be of use to you, they cannot replace a trained expert if you feel that you require such assistance.1. Recognize that you suffer from a shopping addiction – it's okay to admit it
Admitting that there is even a problem, let alone that problems are acceptable, is the most difficult challenge that many addicts and their loved ones encounter. Even in the description up there, I emphasized the possibility that having an additional item in the shopping cart would not be such a huge deal. And even though it might not seem like a significant concern to some people, it does not imply that a person struggling with addiction does not see it as a challenge. A single purchase, a single drag on a cigarette, or a single sip of alcohol can send someone into a downward spiral if they are not careful. Because of this, addiction is quite adept at making people feel as though they have no control over their lives.2. Tell the people in your support network that you can rely on them
After realizing that you have a shopping addiction, you should talk to a trusted family member about the problem. A friend, a family member, a therapist, or even a church member can all be valuable additions to a support network. It's possible that admitting you have a problem with addiction will feel like a mixed bag. Some people will not sympathize with you if they believe that you are to blame for what has happened. This is because they believe that you brought it upon yourself. At this moment, it would be in your best interest to surround yourself with individuals who would be kind to you but will not enable you.3. Figure out what your triggers are and look for healthy coping mechanisms
I could not make any progress toward recovery from my mood condition until I obtained treatment for it. It's possible that you don't have a mood condition, but you still need to figure out what sets off your binge shopping episodes to avoid them in the future. You should use a notepad or an app to track what you are feeling and thinking when you get the urge to go shopping. You should also write down what you were doing when you had that notion. You will be able to put in place beneficial coping mechanisms once you have identified a pattern of the things that set you off and better understand what causes those patterns. For instance, after a quarrel with your husband, you could phone your support network or try meditating rather than rushing to Amazon for a solution to your problem.4. Put limitations in place around shopping
One can't avoid shopping entirely for most people, even myself included. However, you CAN establish limits for your financial situation to get therapy for your addiction. Use the curbside collection service, and buy just the necessary things. Instead of filling your medications at a big-box retailer, go to an actual pharmacy and place your order. Request that your significant other or a friend make a quick stop at the store on their way over. You can get supplies for your pet at the veterinarian's office. One of my close friends has a spending account, but they only put a certain amount of money in it, and once it's gone, that's it. The remainder of her funds is held in an account at a credit union, which she can access in person only.It is possible to overcome an addiction to shopping
It would be best to try to remember that you are not alone at the end of the day. Even if it does not feel that way right now, you are cared for and supported by many people. Lean on family members who are there to support you. If you require further assistance or support, you should contact support groups. The internet makes it possible to locate a support group for virtually any issue. Also, if you feel it's essential, seek the assistance of a specialist. You can combat and win the battle against a shopping addiction if you go into it with the right mindset and attitude.