Online shopping has become part of everyday life. We can buy clothes, technology, household goods or any other item in a matter of minutes, without having to leave the house and at any time of day. What’s more, credit cards, shopping apps and deferred payment schemes make it easy for us to spend money without immediately realising the financial impact of each transaction.
For most people, these tools are simply a convenient way to shop. However, when shopping becomes difficult to control, causes distress and begins to affect one’s finances or personal relationships, there may be a problem with compulsive shopping.
Laoniomania, or shopping addiction, is characterised by a persistent difficulty in controlling the urge to shop, even when doing so has negative consequences. It does not depend solely on how much money is spent, but on the relationship the person forms with shopping and their ability to decide when to stop.
In this article, we explain how online shopping, credit and deferred payments influence this behaviour, what signs may indicate that shopping is ceasing to be a normal part of daily life, and when it is advisable to seek professional help.
What is oniomania, or compulsive shopping?
Oniomania is the term commonly used to describe compulsive buying behaviour. The person feels an intense urge to buy and may find it difficult to resist, even though they know they do not need the items or cannot afford them.
In some cases, shopping provides a momentary feeling of pleasure, relief or a break from worries. Afterwards, feelings of guilt, regret, anxiety or concern about the financial consequences may arise.
This cycle can repeat itself and become entrenched over time:
- The person experiences stress, sadness, boredom or another unpleasant emotion.
- Shopping generates anticipation, excitement or a temporary sense of relief.
- The purchase provides brief satisfaction.
- Guilt, financial worry or regret set in.
- The person shops again to alleviate the discomfort or distract themselves from the previous consequences.
Not everyone who shops frequently has an addiction. The warning sign is a loss of control and the continuation of the behaviour despite its consequences.
Why can online shopping encourage compulsive buying?
Online shopping does not in itself lead to addiction. However, some of its characteristics may make it easier for a vulnerable person to shop more frequently or to find it harder to control their impulses.
Shop anytime, anywhere
Online shops are available practically round the clock. There’s no need to travel, wait for a shop to open or set aside a specific time for shopping.
This accessibility can encourage impulse buying, particularly when used as a way of coping with unpleasant emotions.
For example, someone who has had a difficult day might visit an online shop to take their mind off things and end up buying items they hadn’t planned to purchase.
When this behaviour becomes a recurring pattern and the main way of coping with distress, it is worth taking note.
The constant notifications, recommendations and offers
Promotional emails, app notifications, recommended products and personalised adverts can keep shopping at the forefront of people’s daily routines.
Furthermore, messages that convey a sense of urgency, such as limited-time offers or warnings that only a few items are left in stock, can encourage hasty decisions.
For someone who finds it difficult to control their spending, these triggers can increase the frequency of impulse buys and make it harder for them to pause and consider whether they really need the product.
The satisfaction of buying versus the product’s usefulness
Sometimes, people are not so much after the item they are buying as the excitement associated with the purchasing process.
Searching for products, comparing options, looking forward to delivery and confirming the order can all create a sense of excitement.
The problem arises when that satisfaction is short-lived and needs to be constantly repeated. People may end up hoarding unused items, buying similar products or losing interest in them shortly after receiving them.
The role of credit and deferred payments in compulsive shopping
Credit cards, instalment plans and deferred payment schemes allow expenditure to be spread over different dates. When used in a planned manner, they can form part of a person’s financial management.
However, when there is a tendency to shop compulsively, these options can make it easier to spend more than one’s disposable income allows.
1. The feeling of spending less at the time of purchase
Paying a small amount each month can make a purchase seem more affordable than it actually is.
Instead of considering the total cost of the product, the person focuses on the immediate instalment. If they repeat this decision with different purchases, they can accumulate payment commitments that end up exceeding their financial means.
That is why it is important to take into account the total amount financed, the interest, the fees and the due dates, not just the advertised instalment.
2. The build-up of debt that is difficult to control
A deferred purchase may seem manageable on its own. The problem arises when it is combined with other financed purchases, credit card payments and regular expenses.
People may lose sight of the bigger picture when it comes to their financial obligations and realise that a significant portion of their income is already tied up.
In some cases, they start using one loan to cover another payment, borrow money from family members or delay paying bills in order to maintain their spending habits.
These situations do not in themselves prove that someone has a shopping addiction, but they are warning signs when accompanied by a loss of control over spending.
3. Buy now and deal with the consequences later
Deferred payment schemes separate the moment of purchase from the moment of payment. This can reduce the immediate perception of the expense.
When a person makes an impulse purchase, this separation can encourage them to make decisions without giving sufficient thought to the consequences.
When the bills arrive, the initial satisfaction can turn into worry, guilt or fear of being unable to meet the payments. If the person shops again to alleviate this unease, the cycle of compulsive shopping is reinforced.
Credit is not the sole cause of shopaholism, but it can exacerbate its financial consequences when there is a loss of control over shopping behaviour.
What are the signs of compulsive shopping?
Identifying the warning signs helps you recognise when shopping behaviour starts to affect your personal wellbeing.
You do not need to exhibit all of these behaviours to need help. The important thing is to observe their frequency, intensity and the consequences they bring about.
Buying things you don’t need
People buy items they hadn’t planned to buy, repurchase products they already own, or accumulate items they hardly ever use.
Shopping can become a regular habit even when there is no specific need.
Not being able to stop shopping
You might promise yourself that you’ll stop spending, set limits or delete shopping apps, but you end up buying things again.
Failed attempts to control behaviour are particularly significant when they are repeated and lead to frustration.
Feeling euphoric before buying and guilty afterwards
Looking forward to a purchase can bring a sense of excitement or relief. After making it, however, feelings of regret, embarrassment or anxiety may arise.
This emotional contrast can become a recurring part of one’s behaviour.
Hiding purchases, expenses or debts
The person may hide parcels, delete confirmation emails, downplay how much they have spent, or avoid discussing their purchases with family members and their partner.
This concealment is often linked to a fear of criticism or the financial consequences of their behaviour.
Shopping as a way of managing emotions
When feelings of sadness, anxiety, loneliness, boredom or stress arise, people turn to shopping to make themselves feel better.
The relief is usually temporary and does not resolve the emotional problem that caused it.
Experiencing financial difficulties because of shopping
Shopping begins to get in the way of paying bills, saving money or covering basic living costs. Debts, excessive use of credit or family disputes over money may also arise.
When these problems recur, it is important to seek advice before the situation gets worse.
What is the difference between impulse buying and shopaholism?
Buying something on a whim does not necessarily mean that you have an addiction.
An impulse purchase can be an isolated decision that the person recognises as unnecessary and which does not significantly affect their life.
Compulsive shopping, on the other hand, is characterised by a recurring pattern of loss of control that can persist despite feelings of regret and negative consequences.
This comparison is for guidance only and is not a substitute for a professional assessment. If you have persistent concerns about your shopping or find it difficult to control your spending, a professional can help you assess the situation.
What are the potential consequences of compulsive shopping?
Las consecuencias de las compras compulsivas no se limitan al dinero gastado. A medida que la conducta se mantiene, pueden aparecer dificultades en diferentes áreas de la vida.
- Consecuencias económicas.Acumulación de deudas, uso excesivo de tarjetas de crédito, dificultades para pagar gastos básicos o pérdida de ahorros.
- Consecuencias emocionales.Culpa, vergüenza, ansiedad, frustración y sensación de pérdida de control.
- Consecuencias familiares y de pareja.Discusiones por el dinero, pérdida de confianza, ocultación de gastos y dificultades para mantener acuerdos económicos.
- Consecuencias laborales y sociales.Pérdida de tiempo, distracción, aislamiento o interferencia con las responsabilidades cotidianas.
These consequences can reinforce one another. For example, someone worried about their debts may experience greater anxiety and turn to shopping once again to relieve it.
For this reason, simply tackling spending without addressing the emotional and behavioural factors that drive it may not be enough.
How can you control compulsive online shopping?
If you’ve noticed that you’re buying more than you need or that you find it difficult to control your spending, there are practical steps you can take to help reduce these triggers and regain greater control over your decisions.
These strategies can be useful in mild cases, but they are no substitute for professional treatment where there is a persistent loss of control.
Eliminate the triggers that encourage shopping
Turn off marketing notifications, unsubscribe from promotional emails and limit the time you spend browsing online shops.
If certain apps encourage you to make impulse purchases, you can remove their shortcuts or uninstall them temporarily.
Set realistic financial limits
Draw up a budget that includes essential expenses and financial commitments. Before making a purchase, check whether the cost fits within your actual financial situation.
If you’re using finance, work out the total cost and review any outstanding commitments you already have.
Take a moment to think before you buy
When you feel the urge to buy something, wait before completing the purchase. You can add the item to a list and reconsider it later.
In the meantime, ask yourself whether you need it, whether you can afford it, and what emotion you’re feeling at that moment.
Look for ways to cope with the discomfort
If you mainly shop when you’re feeling sad, stressed or lonely, try to find other ways of dealing with those emotions.
Talking to someone you trust, going for a walk, doing something you enjoy or practising relaxation techniques can help you find alternatives to the urge to shop.
Ask for help if you can’t regain control
If you have tried to cut back on spending several times but keep falling back into the same pattern, if you are hiding expenses, or if your debts are affecting your life, it is advisable to seek advice from a specialist.
You don’t need to wait until you’re facing serious financial difficulties to seek advice.
Treating compulsive shopping: when to seek professional help
When shopping becomes a recurring behaviour that is difficult to control, professional intervention can help you understand what is happening and address the factors that perpetuate the problem.
Treatment must be tailored to each person’s needs. It may include psychological intervention, strategies for impulse control, identifying emotional triggers and learning alternative habits.
It may also be necessary to address debt management and the family consequences of shopping, as well as to tackle any other emotional issues that may be present.
At CC Adicciones, you can find out about the specialised treatment programme for compulsive shopping, where you can learn about the care options available.
The aim is to address behaviour patterns related to shopping, develop tools for managing emotions and gradually regain control over daily life.
Compulsive shopping is not linked to any particular time of year
Oniomania does not only occur at Christmas, on Black Friday or during the sales. It can develop at any time and persist throughout the year, particularly when shopping becomes a habitual way of coping with emotional distress.
The constant availability of online shops, marketing notifications and easy payment options can lead to this behaviour becoming more frequent or its financial consequences going unnoticed for a while.
That is why the key lies not only in how much you buy, but in whether you have the ability to make decisions, pause and accept the consequences of each purchase.
If online shopping, credit or deferred payments are starting to affect your finances, your relationships or your emotional wellbeing, seeking help may be the first step towards regaining control.
At CC Adicciones, you can find out about our treatment programme for compulsive shopping and request information on the care options available.
