Compulsive buying is characterized by an overwhelming fixation on shopping and a lack of impulse regulation. It often leads to negative outcomes such as marital discord and financial problems. Data shows that approximately 6% of the United States population exhibits compulsive buying tendencies, with a significant majority, or 80%, being women.

Aside from the increasing prevalence of problem buying behaviors among women, the rise of digital commerce is anticipated to increase shopping among men, as locating desired items has become significantly more rapid and accessible.

If you are interested in knowing more about shopping addiction, read on and discover how our experts in Luxe Recovery help them recover from this condition.

What is Shopping Addiction?

Shopping addiction, also known as oniomania or compulsive buying disorder (CBD), presents numerous challenges for individuals, families, and society at large. A person engaging in daily shopping may not be classified as addicted if their purchasing habits are healthy and do not lead to problems, such as routinely acquiring groceries, essential household items, and other necessities.

Typically, shopping addiction may follow a recognizable pattern, where people continue to engage in these compulsive buying behaviors despite facing the consequences. The frequency and intensity of shopping behaviors may increase, often accompanied by cravings and withdrawal symptoms similar to other forms of addictions.

People grappling with this condition may find themselves making unnecessary purchases solely for the act of buying, even in the absence of need, which can result in significant financial difficulties.

As a form of behavioral addiction, shopping addiction manifests through compulsive buying as a strategy to attain a sense of well-being and to mitigate negative emotions brought by daily life stressors or a mental health condition.

How Is Shopping Addiction Diagnosed?

A mental health professional diagnoses shopping addiction or compulsive buying disorder using a thorough clinical evaluation process. This assessment involves conducting a clinical interview, administering various psychological tests, and reviewing the person’s medical history. The professional will discuss the signs and symptoms to determine if they stem from the condition itself or another mental health issue.

Additionally, any co-occurring disorders are assessed and ruled out. The diagnosis is generally made when the symptoms are persistent over time and lead to considerable distress or impairment in various aspects of the person’s life.

How Counseling Can Help with Compulsive Shopping

The primary goal of counseling and therapy treatment is to assist people in interrupting and managing their compulsive buying habits, fostering healthy purchasing behaviors, and cultivating effective coping mechanisms, stress management techniques, and problem-solving abilities that are usually associated with problem buying.

Counseling can provide insights for people with a shopping addiction about the emotional origins of their behaviors. It can also offer strategies to address their inclination to use shopping as a means of coping. These elements are crucial for recovery from this complex condition.

Types of Shopping Addiction

Shopping addictions can arise from various motivations and can present themselves in diverse forms. While many may have a stereotypical image of an individual with compulsive buying issues, it is important to recognize that people may experience different manifestations of shopping addiction. Some of the most commonly identified types of shopping addiction are:

Compulsive Shopping

People who engage in this form of shopping frequently utilize it as a means to evade unpleasant emotions and daily stressors. A compulsive shopper might embark on premeditated shopping following a challenging day or as a strategy to alleviate distress. Although they may organize their visit to a retail store or an online shopping experience, the extent of their control over the situation is minimal.

Bulimic Shopping

The term “shopping bulimia” has started to be used to describe a specific shopping behavior. This happens when a person feels a strong urge to buy items, but after the excitement fades, they usually return what they bought. Some people may even lie or intentionally damage the products to ensure the store takes them back.

Impulse Buying

Impulsive buying happens when people suddenly want something they see in a store. These purchases are usually not planned, and the urge to shop or buy can hit them out of nowhere. The worry of missing out or not finding the item again often pushes them to buy it. For impulsive shoppers, the price does not matter and they decide to buy right away, no matter the cost.

Signs and Symptoms of a Shopping Addiction

Compulsive shopping is classified as a form of behavioral addiction. People affected by this condition often experience euphoric sensations during the act of shopping. The thrill of discovering a sought-after item or the satisfaction derived from acquiring a new possession activates the brain’s reward and pleasure pathways. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of shopping addiction are the following:

Excessive focus on purchasing items. It is characterized by an overwhelming compulsion to acquire items or products.
A diminished ability to manage shopping habits leads to the expenditure of more time and financial resources than originally planned.
Acquiring products without utilizing them for their intended functions.
Engaging in shopping as a means of emotional regulation, seeking to achieve a euphoric state or alleviate feelings of stress.
Experiencing adverse effects or functional impairments due to compulsive buying behaviors, including feelings of guilt, shame, financial debt, and issues in personal relationships.
Manifesting negative emotional and cognitive responses when attempting to cease shopping behaviors, such as anxiety, restlessness, irritability, concern, and obsessive thinking.
Persisting in maladaptive shopping practices despite the awareness of their detrimental consequences.

What Causes Shopping Addiction?

The exact causes of shopping addiction remain complex and debatable among professionals. However, data from research and clinical practices demonstrated that certain factors such as genetics, history of trauma, specific personality traits (e.g., materialism), and other mental health disorders or addictions, can make a person more prone to developing shopping addiction.

Treatment for Shopping Addiction

Compulsive shopping has been categorized as a behavioral addiction. While these conditions, like gambling disorders, do not entail the consumption of addictive substances, they possess certain common traits, including repetitive behaviors.

Hence, shopping addiction treatment options are similar to those of other behavioral addictions. Most of the comprehensive treatment plans for shopping addiction include the following therapies:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy that examines the relationship between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This structured approach enables people with a shopping addiction to recognize and address negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors, including compulsive buying.

The therapist guides the individual in questioning and reframing the negative thoughts that contribute to their challenges. The main objective is to alter and substitute these thoughts with more logical perspectives, thereby alleviating issues related to problem buying.

Additionally, CBT equips individuals with behavioral strategies to manage their impulse buying and spending habits and learn how to stop shopping gradually.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) represents a specialized adaptation of DBT designed to address the challenges associated with shopping addiction. While CBT predominantly targets the identification and modification of irrational beliefs linked to shopping behaviors, DBT prioritizes the regulation of emotions, enhancement of interpersonal relationships, and the incorporation of mindfulness practices to foster present-moment awareness.

Furthermore, DBT guides people on the principles of acceptance and change, which are crucial for effectively managing addictive behaviors. The therapeutic framework of DBT is grounded in four fundamental processes: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Get Help for Shopping Addiction and Compulsive Spending Today

The first and most important step in addressing your shopping addiction is to understand the underlying reasons and circumstances that led to this compulsive behavior. A helpful approach is to monitor your triggers.

It is essential to remember that while acquiring new items can bring a momentary sense of joy, that feeling often fades quickly. Know that other healthy activities can bring you similar satisfaction instead of engaging in problematic shopping behaviours.

There are numerous treatment options accessible for those struggling with shopping addiction. If you find the weight of this condition to be too heavy to bear, remember that recovery is achievable when you reach out for professional support early on.