After the Black Friday celebration and with Christmas just around the corner, compulsive shopping can be a frequent occurrence these days. Although consuming and giving gifts during these festivities is common and socially accepted, the potential repercussions must be considered.
Compulsive Shopping Addiction
During the last week of November and the first days of December, Black Friday is celebrated, an event inherently linked to compulsive shopping. It is an event that focuses its efforts on offering the biggest discounts and promotions of the year over a few days. This is the period in which businesses increase their sales and turnover the most. For this reason, many people wait until this date to make their purchases.
On the other hand, Black Friday also serves as a stepping stone for retailers ahead of Christmas shopping. The incentive of seemingly major savings and turning consumption into a socially accepted leisure activity pushes people towards extreme consumerism—an attitude that, if not managed properly, can lead to compulsive shopping.
In themselves, compulsive purchases do not represent a danger, and during these dates, they are still considered a normal act. However, if generalized or made without being consequent, they can induce an addictive personality disorder. Therefore, it is advisable to control impulses whenever necessary and avoid unnecessary economic spending.
Compulsive Shopping Disorder
Affected individuals can give in to compulsive shopping through two distinct behaviors. On the one hand, by the continuous repetition of the act of consumption over time. At first, it is an act that brings pleasure; however, it becomes a compulsive action. On the other hand, it is a form of escapism from reality. People with this type of personality cannot cope with their personal problems and use shopping as a means to ward off their anxiety.
Profile of the Compulsive Shopper
In compulsive shopping, there are specific consumer profiles. The most common is that of a woman around thirty years old, regardless of social class, accustomed to regularly buying beauty products, cosmetics, and jewelry. In the case of men, it is a more residual situation, and their interest is based on electronics and home tools.
Often, the need to spend money compulsively is related to other psychological disorders. Especially when emotions such as euphoria or depression are involved. In the physical realm, it can be linked to eating disorders, such as bulimia.
