SHOPPING ADDICT What is a shopping addict?So……What is a Shopping addict?

A shopping addict is a term used for someone who continuously indulges in purchasing items to make them feel happy and continue to do so even when it has a negative on other areas of their

life.

This term is also known as “ONIMANIA”

ONIOS: Sale MANIA: Maniac

A recent study shows that 1-16% of Britain’s have this addiction topping a huge 18Million people.

Citied as a psychiatric disorder in the early 20th Century

Has become one of the most socially reinforced of behavioural addictions with

personality Disorders and gambling addicts.

“Men” are also being recognised with this disorder meaning they are just as likely to slip in to the emotional habit as women are.

Are You An Addicted Shopper?

The top 5 tell tale signs to determine if you are am addictive shopper.

1. Satisfaction and fulfilment when purchasing a product /item2. Feeling guilty after buying 3.Having to hide what you have brought from your partner4. Lying about how much you spent5.Having trouble paying off credit card bills on items/ Purchases you never use

So What’s the difference between normal shopping as

apposed to having a shopping addiction?

Average Shopper Shopping Addict

Occasional Shopping sprees Impulse buying Looks at price tags before has no regard for cost of a productPurchasing

Able to turn their nose up at Unable to say no to a sale A bargain

Will use items they purchased Wont use (hidden from friends or family

THE COMMON EXCUSES TO HIDE THE FACT YOU’RE A

SHOPPING ADDICT

It was in the sale at a really good price

It was the last one in my size

I was worried in case they went of stock

If I order it today I will get free delivery

It goes with a pair of shoes I brought last week

I get point on my advantage card

Its on offer 2 for 1

What are the Social Impacts behind this addiction?

Capitalist societies

Marketing and advertisingThe introduction of credit cards

Growing number of fast loans

Why are they are they the main cause?Capitalist societies - Surrounded by lots of shops and people who share the love for shopping which can be dangerous for themMarketing and advertising - Adverts make shopping seem glamorous and there are constant deals being advertising planting the seed to let people think things are “affordable”

Credit cards & Loans - being made more easier for addicts who haven’t got money to spend what they haven’t got

The effects of being an addictive shopper

Being a shopping addict may be deemed as not being serious. However it can have many serious implications such as emotional, relational and financial effects upon their life.

Emotional Causes

The emotional activity is a feeling of instant gratification meaning once purchased a shopping addict will feel happiness and power which they

maybe missing out on in every day life.

Low self esteem (feeling blue) - After purchasing addicts are often feel guilty and anxious

Cant tolerate negative feelings - the negative feelings are then turned into more urges to shop

again

Control - it can become a form of being in control making shopping more regular and compulsive

Relational Causes

Lying: It is also common for an addict to begin lying and hiding their purchases from their family and keeping their charges to themselves.

Pre-Occupied: compulsive spending can cause to become pre occupied spending less time with important people in their lives.

The workplace: anxiety or depression as a result of spending can interfere with your performance at work as well as at home.

Financial Effects

Borrowing: not being able to pay back money you haven’t got Can have a knock on effect to your outgoings.

Credit: If you continuously get carried away and over spend it can have a huge effect on your credit

history

Debt: Shopping addicts often over see the dangers of being in debt

Which can be dangerous and lead to a poor credit history, and can limit your future purchases such as

house buying and getting

TREATMENT

CounsellingIt’s recommended that spending addicts seek professional

counselling or a self-help group to deal with this problem such as credit counselling centres

Therapies It may be a sign of something deeper or could be a start of

something more serious so therapies or relaxation techniques can be a strong replacement

Family Always make sure you talk to your family and let them know you

have a problem so they can offer you more help and support

Questions?…