It is possible to stop compulsive shopping. Shopping addiction is very prevalent today. Society encourages uncontrolled spending. Any occasion is used to incite the acquisition of unnecessary products. So much so, that many people can find themselves trapped in an endless cycle of uncontrolled spending: a compulsive shopping addiction. It is a disorder that consists of experiencing an uncontrollable desire to shop without restraint. However, one can learn to control this addictive behavior. At CCAdicciones, we offer a treatment to overcome compulsive shopping addiction.
Shopping addiction: oniomania
Compulsive shopping addiction is called oniomania or Compulsive Buying Disorder. It is a psychological disorder that prevents a person from controlling their impulse to shop, causing them to spend large amounts of money on unnecessary items.
Tips to stop compulsive shopping
Some recommendations to stop compulsive shopping include the following:
- Do not go shopping in a euphoric or sad state of mind. Emotions and shopping are two related elements because shopping is used to soothe emotional deficiencies or to evade sadness or depression. Even in moments of peak happiness, a person may shop uncontrollably because they feel a surge of exaltation, joy, and enthusiasm that prevents them from considering the consequences.
- Create a budget to plan your expenses and stick to it. Determine the amount of money you will allocate to shopping and specify which items are to be purchased. This way, there will be no room for improvisation because everything will be scheduled, making it easier to avoid shopping for the sake of shopping.
- Try not to use cards to pay for purchases; it is better to use cash. This may seem like an insignificant decision because what does it matter if you pay by card or in cash if it is the same amount of money? The reality is that when we pay by card, we are not as aware of the sensation of spending money, whereas if we pay in cash, we visualize the amount we are allocating to our purchases. Additionally, we can set aside the specific amount of money we want to spend, unlike a card which can be used limitlessly.
- Wait before buying a product. When we go shopping, we may see many things we like and would want to buy. However, not everything is necessary. In fact, most products we see at first glance and feel the impulse to buy would not even be used if we eventually bought them. It is advisable to wait some time between seeing a product and purchasing it to avoid impulse buying.
- Seek professional help. If the previous tips do not work and the addictive behavior of uncontrolled shopping becomes increasingly entrenched, the best course of action is to consult experts to overcome compulsive shopping addiction.
Therapy: the solution to stop compulsive shopping
To stop compulsive shopping addiction, medical detoxification is not necessary, as the person is not addicted to a substance; it is an addictive behavior. Once the patient is stabilized, the therapeutic process of rehabilitation begins through therapy. In this process, we provide the patient and their family with care and protection measures, and we offer techniques and tools that allow the patient to control their emotions and regain control of their life.
Work is done to control impulses and manage emotions, especially negative ones, to avoid relapsing into this type of behavior. People suffering from these types of disorders have a high probability of also suffering from a substance addiction if oniomania is not treated. This is partly due to the consequences derived from compulsive shopping. During the first visit, which is free of charge, a medical and therapeutic team will advise the person on the most appropriate personalized treatment. At CCAdicciones, our goal is to return control of the patient’s life to them and, through medical support and supervision, ensure they can permanently abandon their compulsive shopping addiction.
Therapy is the key element to working toward overcoming this addiction. It allows for addressing the origin of the problem, offering tools to manage emotional issues that trigger compulsive shopping, filling the void that one tries to fix by shopping uncontrollably, and establishing healthy routines, etc.
Differences between impulsive and compulsive buying
There are differences between impulsive and compulsive buying. It is true that in both cases, the common factor is excessive shopping, but there is a vast difference. While an impulsive buyer does not lose control, a compulsive buyer cannot control their behavior and needs to shop. Generally, compulsive buying is linked to the relief of some form of distress.
How do I know if I am addicted to shopping?
These are some of the most common signs and symptoms:
- Spending a lot of time thinking about the purchases to be made
- Excessive planning (where, when, etc.) regarding what is going to be bought
- Feeling a special satisfaction when thinking about the purchase
- Experiencing excessive euphoria when making the purchase
- Feeling shame, irritability, and distress after the purchase, at the moment awareness sets in
- Constant emotional distress
- Hoarding clothes or objects
- Having unworn clothes or unused objects and still continuing to buy more
- Spending large amounts of money
- Serious financial problems. Falling into debt, taking out loans that cannot be repaid… and despite all the financial problems, continuing to shop because it cannot be avoided
- A manipulative and evasive attitude to avoid admitting they suffer from a shopping addiction
- Frequent shopping locations such as shopping malls
A way out of addiction
With the help of our professionals, you will be closer to stopping compulsive shopping. Although it is a long road, we want to support and accompany you at all times. Because there is always hope, there is always a way out. Do not hesitate to contact us to start a new life.
