Shopping Addiction
One of the least understood forms of compulsive disorders is shopping addiction. Currently, only Germany recognizes this condition as its own separate addiction. In the rest of the world, it is often lumped with other compulsive disorders. According to experts, there has only been about two decades of research into shopping disorders, a mere fraction of what other disorders have had. The condition centers around the feeling a person has while they are shopping for an item. Those suffering from this condition receive a distinct form of pleasure immediately before and during the purchase, but many scientists believe that once they walk out of the store, the pleasure is gone and the behavior needs to be repeated.
The Addiction
Although the scientific community has yet to come to a complete consensus about what causes compulsive shopping, it is believed that the person is fulfilling some kind of need otherwise left empty, likely since childhood. It could be linked to a lack of closeness felt as a child to a parent. The child may have been ushered out the door with cash and told to go shopping, instead of the parent spending time with the child. That person grows up with the pleasing sensation of making a purchase replacing the parental love they really wanted. According to the latest research, as much as 9 percent of the U.S. population admits to having some kind of shopping compulsion, and it is widely believed that this condition is getting much worse around the world. For others, a shopping compulsion can be used to help fill a need that no one else is currently giving them, such as from loneliness or from depression. Another part of the condition could be from the “Keeping up with the Jonses” mentality that no matter what you own, someone next door has something nicer, so you must buy something as good or better for people to think you are worthy of their admiration. Some doctors also believe that having the attention and respect of a salesperson for a period of time is also a source of great pleasure for the average shopaholic.
The Impact of Addiction
The most obvious impact from a shopping addiction would be financial. Returning the merchandize you buy is out of the question for most compulsive shoppers, even though most of what is bought isn’t even wanted as soon as the person leaves the store. Incredible amounts of credit card debt can be racked up in a very short time, which can cause a credit crisis that can affect you for the rest of your life. If a person with a shopping addiction is spending money that belongs to both people in a relationship, the condition could easily ruin a marriage. If the inability to pay bills continues along that path, a person could easily end up on the street. In some extreme cases, people could even resort to crime to obtain more money instantly so they can either pay off bills or go shopping once again. Since this condition is often present from an early age, it is thought to affect teenagers and young adults disproportionately.
The Symptoms of Shopping Addiction
Since most shopaholics tend to shop alone, it can be difficult to pinpoint symptoms. The average shopping addict will have many outstanding bills, an incredible amount of credit card debt, and as many credit cards as they can possibly have. They may also be likely to ask to borrow money on a regular basis, and you may notice the phone ringing on a regular basis from bill collectors. You may also notice many packages, boxes, and shopping bags with new items in them that aren’t being used or even opened.
The Consequences of Shopping Addiction
The average shopping addict will not be able to live for very long with their condition, which gives it an immediacy people only normally associate with hardcore drug addiction. Long term consumer debt that may or may not be wiped out by bankruptcy is likely, and the possibility of resorting to crime to obtain more money is always a possibility. In the United States, there are several organizations that exist for the sole purpose of helping people with shopping addictions. They can provide you with more information and a place to start if you suspect a friend has this condition.
