Shopping addiction: how to get rid of shopaholism

We have all heard about the following human addictions: drug, alcohol, food, coffee, cigarettes. There is also addiction to TV, social networks, gambling. But for some reason, few perceive shopaholism as a serious problem. The shopping process itself, we emphasize – required – of course, it is not an addiction, and for the fair sex it is generally comparable to a psychotherapeutic session. However, where is the line beyond which this innocent hobby turns into an unconscious person (most often, of course, women) dependence? When does the unbridled desire to buy something that is already in excess (in the wardrobe, in the cosmetic bag, etc.) become an obsessive syndrome, an illness? Estet-portal.com.

A lover of shopping or still an addicted buyer: how to determine

  You are a shopping addict if:

1. Regularly visit stores, while there is no urgent need for any purchases.
2. Meticulously examine the goods, study the labels, and after – you will certainly go to the fitting room with a bunch of new things, absolutely without thinking: do you need all these things.
3. You are haunted by an irresistible desire to buy something, but there is no objective reason for such a need (a household appliance has broken, tights have torn, etc.).
4. Without being able to 'get out' shopping, your mood deteriorates, irritability appears.
5. Frequently visit those departments and stores that absolutely "do not intersect"; with your passions and lifestyle.

How to deal with shopping addiction

First, you need to admit to yourself that excessive shopping – this is really a problem. Next, think about what the shopping process gives you, what you feel when wandering through the departments of stores and only after, when you still purchased something.

Perhaps by enjoying the pursuit of a limited-edition pair of shoes from a new collection, a suit or a dress, you are thus making up for the lack of adrenaline and drive in your life.

Or maybe the consciousness that you – the owner of a Louis Vuitton bag, gives "weight" to in society. If you understand that this is the case, then you should gain confidence without these, albeit quite status-related, acquisitions. Get a new hobby that does not require you to make a significant financial investment. Communicate more, meet interesting people, and try to invest money not in trinkets and thoughtlessly bought outfits, but in your own education and health. Of course, it will help to understand oneself, the causes of acute shopaholism (and in the medical environment such addiction is called onomania and is considered as one of the types of mental disorders) and a visit to a psychologist.

But you can start an independent struggle with such addiction

1. Don't forget: shopaholism – this is a real problem, not a harmless hobby. Otherwise, you will be dizzy every inviting advertisement in shop windows or the promise of discounts. If you continue to convince yourself that you need all the purchases, you will not begin to fight your addiction.
2. Before you go shopping, write down everything you need to buy. And then analyze well: is this super rag really useful for mopping the floor or is it quite ordinary, but cheaper, it will also do the job, etc., etc. Try to stick to the list you have compiled and refrain from visiting those departments where there are no products from your list.
3. Calculate the approximate amount for the purchase of what you planned, and do not take with you more than that – it's very "cooling" acquisitive fervor.

Cards should not be taken to stores either, since the "invisible" money is very easy to spend.

4. If it's hard for you to restrain yourself, finally remember what your relatives asked you to buy, and get it. So you will get rid of the "purchasing itch", pamper everyone and yourself, including.

A estet-portal.com. reminds: understanding and acknowledging that the problem of addiction exists – this is already half the battle on the way to overcoming it.