My first conscious awareness of the relationship between eating disorders and compulsive shopping came in the early 90’s at a national conference on eating disorders. Catherine Steiner-Adair, in her keynote address, asked the audience what we thought were the two major ways women had for dealing with the ups and downs of life. The silence… Continue reading Eat, Shop and Be Merry? (Part II)
Category: Compulsive Buying
You’ve Stopped Overshopping…Now What?
Today I’d like to focus on a topic that can cause real anxiety in people who are addicted to shopping: what to do when you stop. If you shop to ease anxiety or soothe grief, what will you do when you feel down if that outlet is no longer available to you? If you shop… Continue reading You’ve Stopped Overshopping…Now What?
Understanding a Shopping Addiction
A shopping addiction can provide entertainment for television and movies as in the show “My Shopping Addiction” and the popular movie “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” Far from being glamorous, this disorder can cause serious trouble in real life. It can be hard to spot this addictive behavior, but it is more common than you may think. Behind… Continue reading Understanding a Shopping Addiction
Recognizing Spending Addiction
Do you find yourself trying to buy happiness, admiration, acceptance, or empowerment? Does spending money help you chase away your troubles, even though you know that your overspending habits will catch up with you one day? These are all symptoms of a spending addiction. Just like with any other behavioral addiction, the performance of a… Continue reading Recognizing Spending Addiction
Signs You Could Be Addicted
There are clear signs that you might be addicted, which apply to anything from shopping to alcohol, according to Dr Ronald McCoy, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners spokesman. Dr. McCoy states the main thing to watch out for is organizing your life around your addiction. You also find that the more you have, the more you… Continue reading Signs You Could Be Addicted
Compulsive Hoarding and Shopping
It seems like hoarding is getting a lot of media attention recently, with shows like TLC’s Hoarding: Buried Alive and the Hoarders shows on A&E. While popular television tends to sensationalize, the amount of air-time dedicated to this serious problem has the potential for positive outcomes. As blogger Kristin Bell suggests, these shows might alert… Continue reading Compulsive Hoarding and Shopping
Are You Addicted to Online Shopping?
For many people, online shopping is a convenient way to shop. For others, though, it’s an easy method to become addicted to. In a recent survey, people were asked why online shopping could become an addiction. Some of the reasons they listed include: Easy to use non-cash payment methods which encourage impulse purchases. People who… Continue reading Are You Addicted to Online Shopping?
Experimental Analysis of the Relationship Between Depressed Mood and Compulsive Buying
Compulsive shopping is a dire issue which has not been investigated sufficiently. A recent study looked at 18 compulsive buyers compared to a 17-person control group. The proposed hypothesis was that the shopaholics would have enhanced memory of appealing consumer objects if they were made to feel depressed. Interestingly, when examined, the control group had stronger… Continue reading Experimental Analysis of the Relationship Between Depressed Mood and Compulsive Buying
Shop ‘Til You Drop? 10 Tips to Beat a Shopping Addiction
If you’re like most women, shopping can be a fun, uplifting experience. For some women, though, shopping can become an addiction that results in damaging emotional and financial consequences. If you’re struggling with a shopping addiction, here are some tips to help you deal with it. First, if your shopping is damaging your finances and… Continue reading Shop ‘Til You Drop? 10 Tips to Beat a Shopping Addiction
Strategies to End Shopping Addiction
We are becoming familiar with the signs of shopping addictions: the “shopping to feel better” syndrome, the out of control credit card debt, the emotional rollercoaster. Here are a few ways to get a handle on the situation. Steer clear of temptation. Delay big purchases. Ask yourself if you really need that purchase. Find other… Continue reading Strategies to End Shopping Addiction