I think we’ve all seen, or least heard of, the hit 2009 movie Confessions of a Shopaholic starring Isla Fisher. The synopsis of the movie basically is about Rebecca Bloomwood who has an intense shopping addiction which then forces her deeper and deeper into debt. She lands a dream job as Magazine Journalist living in New York, but her shopping habits threatens to ruin her career and love life.
The movie was a romantic comedy so it wasn’t taking this addiction serious, but it did shine light on an addiction many don’t seem to realize is real.
There have been many studies conducted around this addiction. According to PsychGuides.com there are six types of shopaholics.
- Compulsive shopaholics who shop when they are feeling emotional distress
- Trophy shopaholics who are always shopping for the perfect item
- Shopaholics who want the image of being a big spender and love flashy items
- Bargain seekers who purchase items they don’t need because they are on sale
- Bulimic shoppers who get caught in a vicious cycle of buying and returning
- Collectors who don’t feel complete unless they have one item in each color or every piece of a set
Shopping addictions start as a “high” one gets from shopping. Think about it, you just purchased something you love or have been wanting for a while, doesn’t it give you that euphoric feeling even for a moment? Shopaholics are addicted to the dopamine and the endorphins which over time equates to this addiction.
According to the same article there are also emotional symptoms associated with this addiction. These symptoms include:
- Spending more than they can afford
- Shopping as a reaction to feeling angry or depressed
- Shopping as a way to feel less guilty about a previous shopping spree
- Harming relationships due to spending or shopping too much
- Losing control of the shopping behavior
It’s common to shop as a way to relive stress and to sure maybe you have a couple of impulse buys from time to time. However once it becomes in excess, increasing your debt, hiding your shopping habits from your family and loved ones, buying more than is needed, etc. It might be time to seek out some help and support.
PsychGuides has a great guide to how to talk and confront a shopaholic and how to seek treatment.
Also, if you’re interested in watching Confessions of a Shopaholic it’s free to stream on Hulu!
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