Oniomania (compulsive shopping, or what’s more commonly referred to as shopping addiction) is perhaps the most socially acceptable addiction. We are surrounded by advertising that tells us that buying will make us happy.
Spending boosts the economy. For some of us, there is an allure of wanting what everyone else seems to have. Consumerism, by our own intentions or not (or some combination), has become a measure of social worth.
Shopping addiction is not a new disorder. It was recognized as far back as the early nineteenth century and was cited as a psychiatric disorder in the early twentieth century.
Causes of Shopping Addiction
The exact causes of shopping addiction on not entirely clear, but several factors may play a role.
Other Mental Health Conditions
Usually beginning in one’s late teens and early adulthood, shopping addiction often co-occurs with other disorders, including mood and anxiety disorder, alcohol or drug use, eating disorders, other impulse control disorders, and personality disorders.
Personality Characteristics
Shopaholics tend to share the same personality pattern they are easily influenced, often kind-hearted, sympathetic, and polite to others, although they are often lonely and isolated.
Some people develop shopping addiction to try and boost their self-esteem, although it doesn’t tend to be very effective for this.
Materialism
People with shopping addictions tend to be more materialistic than other shoppers and try to seek affirmation by seeking status through material objects and seeking approval from others. They engage in fantasy more than other people, and as with other people with addictions have difficulty resisting their impulses.
Exposure to Advertising
People with a shopping addiction may be more susceptible to marketing and advertising messages that surround us daily. While advertising, in general, is designed to exaggerate the positive results of purchase and suggest that the purchase will lead to an escape from life’s problems, certain marketing tricks are designed to trigger impulse buying.
Retail Therapy
As with other addictions, shopping addiction is usually a way of coping with life’s emotional pain and difficulty. Unfortunately, it tends to make things worse rather than better for the shopper.
People who gain pleasure and escape negative feelings through shopping sometimes call it “retail therapy.” This phrase implies that you can get the same benefit from buying yourself something as you would from engaging in counselling or therapy. This is an incorrect and unhelpful idea.
While the term retail therapy is often used light-heartedly, some people, including shopaholics, actively make time to shop simply to cope with negative feelings.
Although there are circumstances when a new purchase can solve a problem, this is not typically thought of as retail therapy. Usually, the things people buy when engaging in retail therapy are unnecessary, and the corresponding financial cost may reduce resources for solving other life problems.
If this addiction and its symptoms sound familiar it needs addressing and you can contact us for advice.