The Tale of a Compulsive Shopper

Shopping addiction is  a disorder that most people stay in denial of.  I am one of them. 

I end up spending on things I may not even remember I bought –  the shoes, perfumes, pieces of furniture, various dresses and any random thing I can lay my hands on. For a moment if my fancy gets into something, I immediately Google it, track it down online. Then try to avoid it.

When that passive feeling of avoiding shopping has passed, I am back to claim my cart. I am about to check out, I can’t take my eyes off the other bag, almost 50% off. I want that too.

And you know  I often find myself in situations like that. The moment I am about to buy something, my mind already eyes my next thing to be on cart. By the time I receive my hunt, I barely care about it. I guess this is not about the buy, maybe it is about the buying. I feel compelled to buy. 

I am surrounded by all my shopped things till date and I have no clue.A sense of detachment has ascended on me. In many years, I have started feeling low and helpless.

I want..buy some more..!                                                                                 

Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) 

Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD)  is more about deep down underlying mental problems. On every purchase, the hit of dopamine  creates a “shopper’s high” -the happy hormones. To brighten up every bad day, to mask an emotion or to fill in a sense of hollowness-shopping is an answer. This buying behavior causes marked distress, it interferes with social functioning and relationships  and more frequently results in financial problems if goes unchecked.

People suffering with shopping disorder mostly are unable to stop thinking about shopping. Medically speaking it is often a failed attempt to cope with emotions that cannot be tolerated. Like an addict they must make all types of purchases. Compulsive shoppers start keeping their spending secrets from their immediate family resulting in grim relationship issues. 

On closer examination, compulsive shopping is more or less  connected to hoarding . For instance, many types of watches, dresses, hair pins or shoes purchased. However, once home, they are all put in a drawer never to be seen or worn again. 

Help is available in form of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) , etc. The most helpful strategy  is to identify why and how your shopping initially became a problem. In Shalini’s case being away from home for many years did that. In the beginning, it was more like independence, career- the passion. And, slowly later- an incentive to celebrate self. 

But soon after-nothing but a compulsion and pattern setting in. If you are also one of shopping addicts like her  with no control over it and slowly treading into depression or financial issues, don’t be shy of coming in open and seek medical help as she did.