Archive | February 2019

Signs Of Shopping Addiction

Many people struggle with the impulse to shop, but in the midst of such might not realize when it’s spiraled out of control—and has formed into that of a full blown addiction. In fact, oftentimes, it is dismissed, and instantly zipped shut—within a wallet full of accumulating receipts. Consequently, this leaves little room for one to recognize certain behaviors, which might be the signal of a more serious problem. But, once one comes to terms with such, he/she can receive the help he/she needs a whole lot quicker. In turn, these nine signs are just a few of what one must look out for if he/she feels she is experiencing a shopping addiction.

First and foremost is “shopping or spending money as a result of feeling angry, depressed, anxious, or lonely”. Second is “having arguments with others about one’s shopping habits”. Third is “feeling lost without credit cards—actual going into withdrawal without them”. Fourth is “buying items on credit, rather than with cash”. Fifth is “describing a rush or a feeling of euphoria with spending”. Sixth is “feeling guilty, ashamed, or embarrassed after a spending spree”. Seventh is “lying about how much money was spent. For instance, owning up to buying something, but lying about how much the item actually cost”. Eighth is “thinking obsessively about money”. And ninth is “spending a lot of time juggling accounts or bills to accommodate spending”.

In terms of physically, the emotional response of a shopaholic causes them to make purchases—heavily based on feeling. For example, they might find themselves feeling down, and in response to such buy a series of items online, or in-store, in an attempt to cheer themselves up. But then, when they are unable to buy something that they want at the time, it can cause them to feel a great amount of melancholy. In addition to sadness, it can even cause them to feel tempered, due to the inability to obtain the item—no matter whether it’s clothes, house appliances, jewelry, etc.

In conclusion, those who struggle with such should not feel embarrassed and ashamed—or feel as though their addiction is of less importance (in comparison with those who are addicted to something else, such as alcohol, drugs, etc). Every addiction is significant and matters, therefore the sooner that the individual can come to terms with his/her behavior—and the reason behind it—the quicker he/she will be able to receive successful treatment/therapy.

How Online Shopping Enables Addiction

In our current day and age, online shopping has taken the world by storm. For, it’s oftentimes much easier to search for one particular item—and/or items—through the internet, rather than to look for each in store. Not only that, but everything is at the click of a finger, making it painless for one to filter through a number of factors—such as cost and color—while effortlessly adjusting it to his/her liking. Consequently, even though this is an efficient resource—when used in moderation—it can pose as a disadvantage for those who struggle with shopping addictions, as it allows them to make purchases right from home.

In turn, the first way that online shopping enables addiction is through the use of algorithm or advertisement. With this being said, we find that certain materials may appear in our browser—in the form of an advertisement—shortly after we have searched it. Due to the storing of such information, this can be a danger to those who see an item, and instinctively act on purchasing it, based on emotion. The visual alone can trigger one’s addiction, making it difficult for him/her to say no, and/or turn his/her head away because of the mood shift he/she might feel within that moment.

The second way that online shopping enables addiction is through the use of auto fill. For, this gives shoppers the opportunity to easily purchase with one click, a simple swipe, or thumb print. He/she can even store his/her credit or debit card information, and set whichever one he/she chooses as his/her default method of payment. As a result of such, this makes it even less of a challenge for one to buy an item, without first thinking of his/her actions—and/or the consequences that follow.

The third way that online shopping enables addiction is through sales and apps. It is through such that individuals can receive deal notifications on their phone of the latest sale going on at their favorite store, or in regards to an item that they may have been wanting for a prolonged amount of time. Unfortunately, this may cause problems for addicts as they might see such as an opportunity to save, but spend a substantial amount of money in response—more than they would have otherwise.

In conclusion, online shopping can serve as a useful tool, but can also cause harm to those who are compulsive buyers. That’s why it is important for individuals who struggle with some form of shopping addiction to be careful what they subject themselves to online. For, there are a variety of triggers that can affect them, making it hard for them to resist the urge—and/or temptation—to buy.

The Six Types Of Shoppers

Oftentimes, we begin each payday with a budget in mind, and while such a concept may be easy for some, others may struggle—and find themselves with very little money soon after. Yet despite such, they may continue on with harmful spending habits, either being in-denial of having them—or aware, but ashamed. In turn, while in the midst of a world that has normalized both online shopping, and shopping by foot, those who struggle with such have a number of outlets to choose from, depending on which out of the six categories they fall under. The varying types are listed as follows; 1. Flashy shopaholics, 2. Bargain hunters, 3. Compulsion-shopping addicts, 4. Trophy Hunters, 5. Collectors, and 6. Bulimic shoppers.

First and foremost is flashy shopaholics which are individuals who “spend big and look for the most dazzling items. Their goal being to impress others”. Second is bargain hunters who “will buy products that they don’t need simply because they’re on sale. Getting a deal is what drives the addiction”. Third is compulsion-shopping addicts who “turn to retail when they’re emotionally strained. The act of purchasing relieves anxiety”. Fourth is trophy hunters who “want to find the perfect items and will search diligently for the best products”. Fifth is collectors who “want multiple versions of the same item in a different color, size, etc. For these individuals, collecting fuels the addiction”. And sixth is bulimic shoppers who “cycle through buying and returning items”.

In turn, these are all signs that one should look out for if he/she notices a friend/family member struggling—and/or even notices signs in himself/herself. Some common ones are; feeling guilt following a purchase, buying an item with the knowledge that it will overdraft your count substantially, accumulating a significant amount of debt through the use of multiple credit cards, etc.

In conclusion, each shopping addiction can pose as harmful for not only the individual himself/herself, but his/her loved ones. For, it can begin to take a toll on those around him/her, if he/she begins to dip into the family finances, or even into the savings of his/her significant other. As a result, broken relationships may come about—as the individual’s addiction begins to spiral out of control. That’s why it is important that those who struggle with compulsive shopping get the help that they need sooner—rather than later—so that they may regain control of their lives, following therapy.