Admitting to shopaholism might result in little more than spending less on the credit card. However, shopping addiction could soon be recognized as a mental illness thanks to a research that has shown the problem has distinct causes and characteristics. An official classification of shopping addiction may lead to investigation of selling tactics used by High Street and online retailers that encourage shoppers to buy.
Professor Astrid Muller, a psychologist with a special interest in addiction, said of the findings: “It’s time to recognize shopping disorder as a separate mental health condition, which will help us develop better treatments and diagnosis methods.”
The condition—compulsive buying disorder (CBD)—once came under an urge to start fires or steal. Sufferers of CBD often describe an increasing urge or anxiety that can only be reduced when a purchase is made. Research has suggested that up to six per cent of the population may suffer from “an uncontrollable desire to shop and spend money”. Six in ten patients are women. Aside from problems with debt, CBD may affect work and relationships, as sufferers spend an increasing amount of time shopping.
The disorder seems to develop regardless of income and the items purchased by compulsive shoppers tend not to be expensive. However, many compulsive shoppers buy in quantity, resulting in out-of-control spending. Anecdotally, patients often report buying a product “because it was a bargain”.
Treatment includes psychotherapy and advice such as getting rid of credit cards, shopping with a friend or relative who doesn’t suffer from CBD, and finding meaningful ways to spend leisure time other than shopping. Psychotherapist Anna Albright said,“It’s so easy to go online now and click to buy and feel that pleasure of buying. The single biggest thing I advise patients to do is to stop buying. It’s important to recognize there is a problem and seek help in finding alternative coping strategies.”
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