People shop for all kinds of reasons — to acquire the things they need or want, to browse stores for new and interesting finds, and (sometimes) for the little thrill that comes with snagging a great deal.
For some people, however, shopping crosses the line into unhealthy territory. If you tend to hit the stores every weekend, spend the majority of free time planning for and making purchases, and/or have have tallied up some major debt as a result of your frequent shopping, you may actually be addicted to shopping.
Read on to learn more about what it means to be a shopaholic, signs that you may be addicted to shopping, and ways to curb the habit.
Key Points
• A preoccupation with shopping and buying to relieve stress are hallmarks of shopping addiction.
• Spending beyond one’s budget and accumulating unopened goods are common.
• Individuals often hide purchases and feel guilt and regret after shopping.
• Shopping addiction can lead to financial strain and emotional distress.
• Managing compulsive shopping involves tracking triggers, finding alternatives, and seeking professional help.
Definition of a Shopaholic
Known as oniomania or compulsive shopping, shopping addiction is a behavioral disorder that involves frequent, excessive buying as a way to feel good and temporarily relieve feelings of stress, anxiety, or boredom. Like other types of addictions, a shopping addiction can substantially harm a person’s life, including their relationships and financial well-being.
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4 Shopaholic Symptoms
People who are addicted to shopping often get a sense of emotional relief right after buying something. Shopaholics also tend to spend more time and money on shopping than they can afford, and many get into financial problems — such as large amounts of credit card debt — as a result of their overspending.
Below are four signs that you may be addicted to shopping.
1. Experiencing a Rush of Excitement When You Buy
Shopaholics generally shop not because they really need something but rather for the sense of euphoria they experience when they’re shopping.
Similar to a drug addiction, compulsive shoppers will often experience a “high” or an adrenaline rush from the act of purchasing something. The brain then associates shopping with this pleasure and the person wants to try and recreate that feeling over and over again. This pattern can be used by a shopaholic to fill an emotional need or override a negative emotion.
2. Experiencing Post-Shopping Regret
Unfortunately, the high shopaholics experience is typically short-lived and later gets replaced by negative feelings, including shame, remorse, and guilt.
Shopaholics will often feel guilty after spending money, whether they splurged on something expensive or snagged something on clearance. Despite any remorse that follows, though, they tend to be good at rationalizing any purchase if they’re challenged.
Buyer’s remorse can force a shopaholic back into a negative cycle, since they know shopping is a surefire way to chase away negative feelings, at least temporarily.
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3. Accumulating Unopened Goods
Though shopaholics enjoy shopping, they often don’t care all that much about their purchases when they get home or when their online orders arrive in the mail. In fact, the items they purchase often end up unopened and shoved in the closet or under the bed.
Those living with a shopping addiction can actually develop hoarding tendencies as they accumulate more goods than they need and yet continue buying.
Recommended: 9 Questions to Ask Before You Buy Something
4. Concealing Shopping Habits
Shopaholics will often try to conceal their shopping habits from their spouses, family members, coworkers, and friends. This is often due to feelings of shame and/or the fact that they are shopping and spending money at the expense of their job or loved ones.
Normal Shopping vs Compulsive Shopping
If you enjoy shopping and make the occasional splurge, does that mean you are a shopaholic? Not necessarily. There are several distinct differences between normal shopping and compulsive shopping. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of normal shopping versus compulsive shopping.
| Normal Shopping | Compulsive Shopping |
|---|---|
| No addictive or compulsive component | Resembles addictive behavior |
| Purchases are generally needed and used | Purchases are often not needed and go unused |
| Isn’t followed by negative emotions | Often followed by guilt, remorse, and shame |
| Does not lead to financial problems | Continues despite negative financial consequences |
| No secrecy involved | Secrecy is often involved |
| Occasional shopping sprees | Frequent overbuying |
Treating Compulsive Shopping
If you feel like shopping has become your main way of coping with stress, there’s a lot you can do to address the issue and regain control of your spending. Here are some strategies to try.
Understanding Your Triggers
Consider keeping a journal of how you feel when the shopping urge hits: Are you bored? Angry? Anxious? Do you feel the desire to buy new things after you hang out with a certain person, spend time on social media, scroll your email, or watch certain shows?
Tracking your triggers can provide insight into what drives you to want to shop and how you can better manage (or avoid) those triggers in the future. For example, you might seek out other friends, unsubscribe from marketing emails, and unfollow shopping-focused social media accounts.
Developing Other Coping Strategies
Overcoming any addiction typically requires learning alternative ways of handling the stress of everyday life. You might come up with a list of non-shopping activities you find relaxing and enjoyable, such as calling a friend, watching a movie, reading, going for a walk, listening to music, doing yoga, or engaging in a hobby. You can consult your list when you get the overwhelming urge to shop. This can help you break the cycle of using shopping as a way of trying to feel better about yourself.
Delaying Gratification
Another way to deal with impulsive or compulsive shopping is to establish a waiting time before you spend money on anything nonessential. “Combat the urge to impulse spend by instituting a holding period on all purchases,” suggests Brian Walsh, CFP® and Head of Advice & Planning at SoFi. “Before hitting the buy button, wait 24 to 48 hours. After the holding period, come back to the shopping cart and reevaluate. In some cases, you might not even remember why you wanted it in the first place.”
Seeking Expert Help
If you think you may be addicted to shopping and can’t seem to get a handle on it on your own, it can be worth seeking professional help.
A mental health professional can help you understand the emotional roots and psychological factors contributing to your compulsive shopping. Addiction therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help you understand your triggers and come up with coping strategies that don’t involve shopping.
You might also benefit from financial counseling, particularly if your shopping behavior has left you in debt. A financial advisor can help you set up a spending budget that allows you to pay off expensive debt, while also building — or rebuilding — your savings.
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Financial Consequences of Compulsive Shopping
Many compulsive shoppers continue making purchases even when they struggle to pay bills, max out credit cards, or face financial hardship. This behavior can create a cycle of stress and anxiety, reinforcing their shopping addiction.
Key financial consequences of compulsive shopping include:
• Excessive debt: Constant impulsive purchases can quickly accumulate, causing you to spend beyond what you can pay off at the end of the month and mounting overwhelming credit card debt.
• Poor financial decisions: Compulsive shoppers may neglect essential financial planning, fall for scams, or buy unnecessary items instead of prioritizing needs.
• Damaged credit score: High credit utilization and any missed payments can have a negative impact on your credit profile, making it difficult to secure loans, mortgages, or even rent an apartment.
• Depleted savings: Continuous spending on nonessential items can drain your savings account, leaving little to no financial cushion for emergencies.
• Bankruptcy risk: In extreme cases, uncontrolled debt from compulsive shopping may lead to bankruptcy, further complicating financial recovery.
How to Support a Loved One Struggling with Shopping Addiction
Supporting a loved one with a shopping addiction requires patience, empathy, and constructive action. You might start by having an open, non-judgmental conversation about their behavior, expressing concern without blame. You could also offer some helpful suggestions, such as tracking their spending habits, avoiding triggers, and (possibly) seeking professional help like therapy or support groups.
At the same time it’s important to set healthy boundaries and to avoid enabling their behavior by lending money or covering debts. Instead, you might offer alternatives like budgeting together or engaging in non-shopping-related activities. If they’re open to it, you could help them set financial goals and spending limits or offer to be their accountability partner.
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FAQ
What are the signs of being a shopaholic?
Signs of a shopping addiction include frequent impulsive purchases, spending beyond one’s budget, hiding purchases from family or friends, feeling guilt or regret after shopping, and using shopping as a way to cope with stress or emotions. Shopaholics may also experience financial strain, accumulate debt, and have difficulty controlling their shopping urges.
What is the root cause of shopping addiction?
Negative feelings, such as stress, anxiety, and loneliness, are often the underlying causes of shopping addiction. Shopping can provide a distraction from these unpleasant emotions and help you feel more in control. It can also elicit a kind of psychological “high,” which is why compulsive shoppers often seek this behavior out again and again.
How do you cure a shopping addiction?
People who are addicted to shopping often respond well to various treatments, including antidepressant medications, talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), self-help books, support groups, and financial counseling.
Are there support groups for compulsive shoppers?
Yes, support groups like Shopaholics Anonymous and Debtors Anonymous provide help for compulsive shoppers. These groups are available in-person and online and offer a safe space to share experiences, gain support, and learn coping strategies from others facing similar challenges. These groups can also help you determine when you might need additional help from a mental health professional.
How can I prevent relapse after overcoming shopping addiction?
Preventing relapse involves maintaining strong financial habits, avoiding triggers, and developing alternative coping mechanisms for stress or emotions. Some strategies that can help you stay on track include regularly reviewing your budget, using shopping lists, implementing a waiting period before making purchases to help control impulses, and engaging in non-shopping activities (like hobbies or volunteering). You might also seek out ongoing support from therapy, accountability partners, or support groups.
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