Shopping Addiction
Oniomania, or what is commonly known as shopping addiction, is perhaps the most socially acceptable addiction.
Statistics indicate that in Spain 40% of people can shop excessively without being considered a pathology, but of this group between 15 and 20% may suffer from a shopping addiction or oniomania. More conservative figures indicate that there may be as many as 400,000 people in Spain with a shopping addiction.
Addiction to Buying
The average age of onset of the disorder is between 20 and 30 years old age and the course tends to be chronic. It may co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as substance dependence disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders and other impulse control disorders.
Most studies globally estimate the prevalence in the general population to be between 1 % and 11.3 % and it is more common in women than in men.
The shopping addiction is a behavioural addiction that involves compulsive buying as a way to feel good in the short term and avoid negative feelings, such as anxiety and depression. Some people develop shopping addictions as a way of trying to increase their self-esteem.
People dealing with shopping addiction generally spend more time and money on shopping than they can afford, and many face financial problems as a result of their overspending.
The shopping addiction can involve impulsive and compulsive spending, which produces a state of temporary ecstasy or joy. After this, shopaholics often feel empty and dissatisfied with their purchases when they get home.
Shopping addictions
As with all addictions, what sets shopping addiction apart from other types of shopping is that the behaviour becomes the person's primary way of coping with stress, to the point where they continue to shop excessively, even when it is clearly having a negative impact on other areas of their life. People with shopping addiction feel unable to stop or even control their spending.
This difficulty in controlling the desire to buy arises from a personality pattern often characterised by low levels of self-esteem, difficulty in resisting their impulses, being easily influenced, and often being kind, understanding and polite to others, despite a tendency to be solitary and isolated. Buying allows them to have contact with other people.
The shopping addiction always responds to a specific ritual and follows a typically addictive thought pattern, the planning of shopping trips and the act of shopping itself, often described as pleasurable and providing relief from negative feelings.
Compulsive shoppers use shopping as a way to escape negative feelings, such as depression, anxiety, boredom and anger, as well as self-critical thoughts, although this escape is short-lived.
Frequently purchased items simply accumulate unused. Most shop alone, although some shop with others who enjoy it. In general, it will be embarrassing to shop with people who do not share this kind of enthusiasm for shopping.
Why are we detecting a growth in shopping addiction?
It is very important to highlight the great influence of the new technologys in this type of addiction, as it causes the different messages related to consumption to reach the person much more quickly. The clear example is that when you want to search for something on the internet, in a few seconds you receive the information you need, and that need can be met in a matter of seconds.
Are there different types of shopping or spending addictions?
There are several different types of shopaholics, and they are as follows:
- Compulsive shopaholics who buy when they feel emotional distress.
- Trophy shoppers who are always shopping for the perfect item.
- Shopaholics who want the image of being a great shopper and love eye-catching items.
- Bargain hunters who buy items they don't need because they are on sale.
- Bulimic shoppers who get caught in a vicious cycle of buying and returning.
- Collectors who do not feel complete unless they have an item in every colour or every piece of a set.
Signs of a shopaholic?
In some cases, it can be difficult to know if you or a loved one is addicted to shopping. Many people love to shop, and many people also spend too much money while engaging in this activity.
It is important to note that shopping from time to time does not mean that you are a shopaholic. However, there are several signs and symptoms that shopaholics show that always attract attention.
The shopaholics may try to hide their addiction, and if a loved one is addicted to shopping, they may try to hide it from their family circle. If they hide credit card bills, shopping bags or receipts, they may be a shopaholic.
In some cases, shopaholics may try to hide their addiction by lying. For example, a person may admit that they went shopping, but may lie about how much they spent.
Some of the other symptoms you may notice include:
- Spending more than they can afford.
- Shopping as a reaction to feeling angry or depressed.
- Shopping as a way to feel less guilty about a previous shopping spree.
- Damaging relationships due to overspending or buying too much.
- Losing control of purchasing behaviour.
Shopping addiction in adolescence
The adolescent shopping problem shopping addiction in Malaga or any city is quite common and is associated with a wide range of behavioural problems. The common symptoms of shopping addiction in adolescents are consistent with addictive behaviours: urges to shop, missed opportunities due to the behaviour and a calming effect of shopping. The symptoms are also associated with psychological distress, dysphoria or depression, and involvement in other dangerous and antisocial behaviours such as involvement in serious physical fights or alcohol use.
These findings may suggest that this problem in adolescents is part of a broader constellation of behaviours that can co-exist with substance abuse, such as alcohol, drugs or nicotine, for multiple reasons.
Cultural and environmental factors can also contribute to shopping problems. It is estimated that the average teenager in the United States spends 21 hours per week watching television. Television viewing and advertising in particular can increase the desire to buy, conveying a message that products can solve all personal problems. On the other hand, biological and genetic factors such as a tendency to impulsivity may play a role.
Shopping and substance abuse may also be related to social or environmental factors. Adolescents may try to cope with stress by shopping, using drugs and alcohol, or smoking. Low self-esteem is common in these cases, as shopping may give them the fantasy persona of personal success and social acceptance. Shopping can also substitute for a lack of emotional support on the part of the adolescent.
In addition, recent research findings suggest that the shopping addiction of many adolescents can be considered within a spectrum of addictive and disinhibited behaviours. Irrespective of the underlying mechanism, it may reflect a psychopathology addiction. This has implications for primary care or school settings, where screening and brief interventions on drug purchase and use could be implemented.
Short and long-term effects of a shopping addiction
The short-term effects of a shopping addiction can be positive. In many cases, you may feel happy after completing a shopping trip. However, these feelings are often mixed with anxiety or guilt, and in most cases, guilt or anxiety can drive you back to the shop to buy even more.
The eong-term effects of a shopping addiction can vary in intensity and scope. Many shopaholics face financial problems and can be overwhelmed with debt.
In some cases, they may simply max out their credit cards, but in other cases, they may take out a second mortgage on their home or charge purchases to their business credit card. Personal relationships are also affected, you may end up divorcing or distancing yourself from your parents, children or other loved ones.
How to curb the urge to spend?
The most effective first step in treatment is identify why and how their purchases initially became a problem.
A useful strategy is to keep track of your triggers, such as negative emotions and family conflicts, identify problems such as anxiety or loneliness. Also remember that additional material goods and services initially bring additional pleasure, but it is usually temporary. The additional pleasure quickly disappears.
It is also useful to emphasise the importance of managing credit cards or getting rid of them. It is a known fact that the use of cash tends to reduce overspending.
Cips Malaga is a centre specialised in the treatment of metal health as well as shopping addictions and other associated pathologies. Our centre is located in Malaga and we have an excellent professional team composed by Psychiatrists and psychologists, as well as a first class reception staff, offering a friendly and cordial atmosphere. We have more than 21 years of experience that we put at the disposal of our patients.
