Consumerism is one of the characteristics that define our current society and, without regulation, can represent a risk to people’s emotional health. Despite this, we have become accustomed to living this way and people increasingly buy in greater quantity and frequency. Factors that make consumption omnipresent and turn it into a real danger that grows progressively over time. In this context, during periods when consumerism is more intense, such as Christmas and the days leading up to it, compulsive buying syndrome appears with greater likelihood. A psychological disorder that threatens the psychological stability of individuals. We explain its origin and how to carry out appropriate treatment.
Consumerism, the First Phase of Compulsive Buying Syndrome
Today, an almost infinite number of products are marketed, a fact that creates supersaturation both visually and communicatively through advertising. In some cases, especially in supermarkets and specialized stores, some of them end up becoming an object of desire. Both shop windows and spaces reserved for them are meticulously designed to encourage purchasing and above all, to promote compulsive buying.
Despite seeing these products daily, on many occasions people cannot acquire them due to their high price or requirements, among other causes. Consequently, they end up suffering from anxiety and frustration from seeing their desire unfulfilled. When this suffering grows uncontrollably, it can end up developing the disorder known as compulsive buying syndrome.
Definition of Compulsive Buying Syndrome
When a person takes the action of buying habitually as a leisure activity and without thinking much about its frequency, they can end up developing discomfort. This increases when exceeding one’s own material possibilities, and if prolonged over time, can end up becoming an illness.
This fact is commonly known as compulsive shopping and is a psychological disorder that uses shopping as a remedy to experience great emotional pleasure. It occurs when an affinity for this type of activity develops, or when there are a series of reasons that motivate it. For example, to escape from everyday problems.
Origins of Compulsive Buying Syndrome
There are two possible explanations that can make sense of developing this type of psychological disorder. First, performing a repetitive behavior to achieve satisfaction. A person may begin to increase their shopping frequency because in doing so, they feel great pleasure. When this sensation becomes a habit, it is only a matter of time before it transforms into compulsive behavior.
Second, compulsive buying syndrome may be due to the person’s inability to face their daily reality. For example, due to their difficulty in resolving their problems at home or at work, or in confronting their personal conflicts. Consequently, they seek in compulsive shopping a solution to their emotional deficiencies and it serves as an escape route.
The 4 Phases of Compulsive Buying Syndrome
When an individual suffers from shopping addiction, they experience a series of impulses they cannot control. Immediately after, they may end up further encouraging their dependence by going to spend money compulsively, or being unable to perform the activity and instead suffering various psychological symptoms. Such as frustration, anxiety, anger, bad mood, etc.
The phases a person with compulsive buying syndrome goes through are:
Anticipation
The person begins to have thoughts, impulses and preoccupations about a particular item and/or about the simple fact of wanting to go shopping.
Preparation
They begin to plan a schedule and make specific decisions to satisfy their desire to go shopping. For example, where to go to spend money, how payments will be made, how to get to the place, etc.
Purchase
Shopping ends up becoming an exciting activity that generates enormous satisfaction and pleasure. Consequently, it becomes a reference entertainment and the person begins to occupy all their thoughts around it.
Subsequent Disappointment
When the individual realizes the mistake of spending too much money and/or buying things they do not need, the situation takes a complete turn. They begin to experience a feeling of disillusionment accompanied by feelings such as guilt, anger, resentment and the false promise of not shopping compulsively again.
Causes That Explain Compulsive Buying Syndrome
There are thousands of reasons that can motivate the abuse of consumerism, shopping addiction and the obsession with spending too much money. Each person has a different psychological profile, so it is impossible to try to enumerate them all.
Below, we explain the most likely causes that can encourage compulsive buying syndrome:
- Feeling loneliness or a personal void
- Sensation of pleasure when buying a new product
- Sales and the fear of missing good offers
- Suffering from a significant psychological alteration. Such as emotional problems, depression or anxiety
Possible Treatments for Compulsive Buying Syndrome
When the psychological disorder becomes a serious case, it is advisable to begin treatment immediately to prevent it from worsening and ending up generating unwanted consequences.
There are two types of treatments to rehabilitate from shopping addiction:
Behavioral Therapy
Through several individual or group sessions with professional therapists, the person can recover from their addiction. They are based on sharing experiences, learning from mistakes, from vulnerabilities and seeking the best way to isolate the craving for addictive behavior. In this type of treatment, a re-education of the individual is carried out.
Pharmacological Treatment
There is only one difference between a person addicted to shopping and another who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The former carries out their behavior completely involuntarily. Therefore, the use of drugs specialized in reducing obsessive behaviors can be an effective solution. As a risk prevention measure, it is necessary to consult with a medical professional beforehand.
CCAdicciones is a rehabilitation center for psychological disorders and addictions that can help you. Contact us and we will inform you.
