Shopping Addictions, What is compulsive shopping?

We all shop for many reasons but the addict buys to relieve anxiety and over time the buying creates a dysfunctional lifestyle and more and more of their focus is on shopping and sometimes the cover-up too.

Compulsive Shopping Checklist
Do you “take off for the stores” when you’ve experienced a setback or a disappointment, or when you feel angry or scared?

Are your spending habits emotionally disturbing to you and have they created chaos in you life?

Do your shopping habits create conflicts between you and someone close to you (spouse, lover, parents, children)?

Do you buy items with your credit cards that you wouldn’t buy if you had to pay cash?

When you shop, do you feel a rush of euphoria mixed with feelings of anxiety?
Do you feel you’re performing a dangerous, reckless or forbidden act when you shop?
When you return home after shopping, do you feel guilty, ashamed, embarrassed or confused?

Are many of your purchases seldom or never worn or used?

Do you lie to your family or friends about what you buy and how much you spend?

Would you feel “lost” without credit cards?

Do you think about money excessively – how much you have, how much you owe, how much you wish you had – and then go out and shop again?

Do you spend a lot of time juggling accounts and bills to accommodate your shopping debts?

Shopping Addictions
What is compulsive shopping? What causes it?
Compulsive Shopping seems to be associated with:

1. Emotional deprivation in childhood
2. Inability to tolerate negative feelings, pain, loneliness, boredom, depression, fear, and anger.
3. Need to fill an inner void – empty and longing inside
4. Excitement seeking
5. Approval seeking
6. Perfectionism
7. Genuinely impulsive and compulsive
8. Need to gain control

Types of Behaviors:
1. Compulsive shoppers – shop to distract feelings; “when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping”
2. Trophy shoppers – find the perfect accessory for outfits, etc. High class items will do.
3. Image shoppers – pick up tab, expensive cars, highly visible stuff
4. Bargain shoppers – buy stuff they don’t need just because it is a good deal. Out for the hunt.
5. Codependent shoppers – to gain love and approval

Bulimic shoppers and Collector shoppers
Suggestions for change:

1. Reduce temptations
2. Cut up plastic; close charge accounts; rip up credit card offers and home equity applications.
3. Make lists before going to the store; buy what you need only – call folks, take a trusted friend. 4. Wait so many hours before purchase
5. Do you need this or do you just want it?
6. Develop other ways to handle emotions
7. Develop fun things to do
8. Learn to ride through urges and preoccupations
9. Develop habits in stores


Source: http://www.shopaholicsanonymous.org/