Compulsive spending is a serious form of process addiction and results in feelings of guilt, shame, and loss of control just like other addictions. It also results in emotional, financial, and social consequences.

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Defining shopping addiction

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According to Shopaholics Anonymous, there are seven different kinds of Shopaholics:

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• Compulsive shopaholics who spend when feeling emotional distress

• Trophy shopaholics trying to find the best item

• Image shopaholics who like flashy items and want to be admired

• Bargain seekers looking for a good deal, buying anything on sale even if they don't need the item

• Bulimic shoppers who purchase items and then return them, then buy the items again and return them in a vicious cycle

• Collectors who need every part of a set in order to feel complete

 

Some people become addicted to spending because of how their brain feels. While many people enjoy shopping sprees, it's considered an addiction when:

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• The shopper is spending more than they can afford

• The spending is done when angry or depressed

• A reason for shopping may be to assuage the guilt felt from a previous spree

• The spending negatively affects relationships and finances

• The person has lost control over their spending behaviour

 

Chabad Lifeline helps anyone affected by a shopping addiction, offering one on one support as well as group therapy for both the addict and anyone affected by the addiction.