4 Signs That You Are Addicted To Shopping

It is a difficult process to know if you are addicted to shopping if you do not know enough about this disorder. In general, when there are addictions, the client is often the last to realize the actions that come from their behavior.

Addiction to shopping is  the compulsive form of purchasing products or services. The most common purchases are typical consumer products, which do not have much benefit (and which the advertisements tell us are a “necessity”).

It is normal to have to act on the logical needs of everyday life. If you develop an addiction to it, however, you lose control of your need to shop. In addition, it can be frustrating when you can not get what you want and it can cause a subsequent guilt over the purchase.

Although it is a modern consumer society with a tendency to excess consumption,  not all individuals are susceptible to developing this behavior. People with a compulsive personality or with low self-esteem are more likely to develop it.

What does it look like if you are addicted to shopping?

Everyone can be addicted to shopping,  although one particular profile is more likely to get this disorder than others. In general, it is typically a young woman with easy access to the Internet.

According to global estimates in developed countries  , women tend to have this problem more than men. They also spend time choosing the product and not buying the first thing they see, which is much more common among men.

The age of these addicts is mostly between 20 and 65. Older people, on the other hand, seem to reduce their shopping habits and are a little more frugal.

The Internet has meant a change and a resounding explosion of the phenomenon of addiction to shopping. The easy access to virtual stores filled with products, offers, discounts and free delivery has increased the compulsive trade.

Although addicted to shopping in physical and traditional stores, online shopping is the norm for people with this disorder. It also ensures some anonymity so that one avoids the shame of regularly visiting certain places and being discovered.

The Internet has led to an increase in coercive trade as it promotes anonymity.

Signs that you are addicted to shopping

There are a number of signs, signals and behaviors that can warn one about an addiction to shopping. Here are some of them:

• Having an uncontrolled desire to shop:  An addiction to shopping is a compulsive act. The person wants to get a new product, whatever it is, and as soon as possible. This results in symptoms of anxiety that we can identify when we have them.

• Loss of control:  One feature of all dependencies is the client’s problems with control. When they can not stop spending money or buying many things, it shows that one is addicted to shopping.
• The habit affects other aspects of life: Another sign of addiction is that it affects several parts of the person’s life. It not only affects one aspect, but it affects family, work and social life.
• Being frustrated at not being able to shop:  When you get nervous, anxious or irritable because you can not buy what you want, you may show obvious signs of an addiction to shopping. It is normal to be a little worried about not getting something you want. But if one worries too much, it can be pathological.

Treatment of addiction to shopping

It is an addiction, and thus the  treatment requires a psychological approach. The use of medication may be necessary if there are very strong signs of anxiety or depression where a psychiatrist may intervene with certain medications.

In terms of psychotherapy  , relaxation and behavior change techniques are preferred. The aim is to increase control over the moment and avoid situations that could promote coercive trade.

Sometimes the client and the doctor discover the origin of the addiction through cognitive therapy. This requires that the affected person is aware of his or her disorder and learns to keep an eye on what he or she is buying and what emotions they are experiencing each time they shop.

In terms of changing behavior, the key is to involve a third party to help. People who are addicted to shopping can also hire a purchasing supervisor who handles one’s finances and advises on which products are seen as necessary and which are redundant.

Addiction to shopping is not for fun. It can cause serious health and social consequences.

It’s no joke to be addicted to shopping

While this may seem like a joke (and most people spend money on unnecessary things these days), we need to understand that shopping addiction is a psychological disorder. Thus, it deserves attention and treatment.