Could You be Suffering From a Compulsive Shopping Disorder?

At this stage, the shopper may be suffering from compulsive shopping disorder. It’s interesting to note that almost 10% of people suffer from some form of compulsive shopping disorder with this disorder being more common in women. Could you be an undiagnosed shopaholic?

What exactly is compulsive shopping? Compulsive shopping is characterized by the need to shop and spend money despite the shopper not needing the items. Shopping is used to fill an emotional void in the person’s life. Unfortunately, compulsive shopping disorder can have serious consequences in terms of its effects on relationships and on the shopper’s financial bottom line. In fact, some compulsive shoppers or shopaholics end up in complete financial ruin.

Could you be a victim of compulsive shopping disorder? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you spend much of your free time thinking about your next shopping trip or envisioning what you’d like to buy?
2. When faced with stressful circumstances, do you find yourself escaping by going shopping?
3. Are you finances being seriously affected by your shopping trips and expenditures?
4. Do you use credit to fund your shopping purchases even though you’re unable to pay your bills?
5. Do you frequently argue with friends and family about your shopping habits?
6. When you’re on a shopping trip, do you feel compelled to buy something even when you know you don’t need it?
7. Do you have a closet full of unworn clothes, a houseful of unneeded furniture, or other extraneous items you couldn’t resist purchasing?
8. Is shopping taking time away from your job, family, and friends?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have some form of compulsive shopping disorder. If you think your shopping has become a problem, it’s best to contact a health professional as this is an addiction that can be tough to beat without outside help.

Help can come in the form of counseling which seeks to address the underlying emotional problems that are causing the compulsion to shop. There’s also evidence that use of certain antidepressants can help control the symptoms of compulsive shopping disorder.

It’s nice to know that help is available for compulsive shopping disorder and you don’t have to live with the label of shopaholic. If you see yourself in the answers to the above questions, why not contact your health professional and see what can be done to control your symptoms. Your friends, family, and finances will thank you.