Shopping addiction, also known as compulsive buying disorder or oniomania, is a behavioral condition where an overwhelming urge to buy items provides temporary emotional relief, despite negative financial and personal consequences. [1, 2]
The Brain and the “Hunt”
The wanting system: The brain chemical dopamine (a neurotransmitter or body messenger) drives anticipation and the thrill of the search rather than actual satisfaction. [1]
The crash: Browsing and adding items to a cart creates a high level of excitement, but dopamine levels drop rapidly after the purchase is complete, often leading to emptiness or regret. [1, 2]
Not about the stuff: The addiction focuses on the act of buying itself rather than the utility of the item acquired. [1, 2]
Emotional and Psychological Triggers
Escapism: People use shopping to numb negative feelings like anxiety, depression, boredom, loneliness, or anger.
Low self-esteem: Materialistic habits and purchases are often used as a flawed way to seek social status, approval, or a better self-image.
Control and accomplishment: Buying items can falsely mimic a sense of personal achievement or control during stressful life periods. [1, 2, 3]
The Cycle of Addiction
Preoccupation: An irresistible, recurring urge to browse or buy.
Tension relief: A brief euphoric rush or high experienced during the transaction.
Guilt and shame: Negative emotions and financial stress that follow the purchase.
Repetition: Turning back to shopping to soothe the guilt of the previous spending spree
No, but my mom did tho. Mainly clothes… she would constantly buy stuff and there would be garbage bags of donation clothes to be picked up on our front porch regularly. Seemed to only be episodic and not recurrent. She seems to be ok about spending now.
Sometimes I’m addicted to buying cheap items from charity shops, clothes especially, and books. Then I donate back those I’m not interested in anymore. Hence my wardrobe changes almost completely from year to year, almost all second hand clothing. It’s trial and error, sometimes clothing doesn’t look as nice on me as I thought so I donate it back again. Hubby says I half worship the charity shops. Not true, but I love them! So environmentally friendly and I love bargain hunting!
I believe that I shop more for items than I usually should rather than earning income that I would otherwise save in my bank account. I don’t believe we all schizophrenics living on disability benefits from the government are OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) but instead have too much time on our hands buying unnecessary products. IMHO.
I tend to overshop at Christmas time when I have the money. Last year was the first year I have really had to show restraint because I dont have the money that I used to.
is $20lol steak?