Addected to shopping when you dont know when to stop

Addicted to Shopping When You Don’t Know When To Stop Shiladitya Verma (Masters in Management Science, Masters in Arts (Drawing & Painting), Masters in Arts (Psychology)) Associate Professor, MBA Department Lakshmi Narain College of Technology & Science, Bhopal, M.P., INDIA Shopping generally refers to the act of buying products Sometimes this is done to obtain necessities such as food or clothing; sometimes it is done as a recreational activity To many, shopping is considered a recreational and diversional activity in which one visits a variety of stores with a premeditated intent to purchase a product Recreational shopping often involves window shopping (just looking, not buying) and browsing and does not always result in a purchase "Window Shopping" is an activity that shoppers engage in by browsing shops with no intent to purchase, possibly just to pass the time between other activities, or to plan a later purchase To some, shopping is a task of inconvenience and vexation Shoppers sometimes go though great lengths to wait in long lines to buy popular products as typically observed with early adopter shoppers and holiday shoppers More recently compulsive shopping has been started to be recognized as an addiction Also referred as shopping addiction, "Shopaholism" or formally oniomania, these shoppers have an impulsive uncontrollable urge to shop The term "Retail Therapy" is used in a less serious context Addiction Addiction has long been understood to mean an uncontrollable habit of using alcohol or other drugs Because of the physical effects of these substances on the body, and particularly the brain, people have often thought that “real” addictions only happen when people regularly use these substances in large amounts More recently, we have come to realize that people can also develop addictions to behaviors, such as gambling, and even quite ordinary and necessary activities such as exercise and eating What these activities have in common is that the person doing them finds them pleasurable in some way There is some controversy about which of the “behavioral” addictions constitute scientifically validated “true” addictions, with both professionals and the public failing to Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic Electroniccopy copyavailable availableat: at:https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 http://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 reach an agreement More research is needed to clarify this issue Although the precise symptoms vary from one addiction to another, there are two aspects that all addictions have in common: Firstly, the addictive behavior is maladaptive or counter-productive to the individual So instead of helping the person adapt to situations or overcome problems, it tends to undermine these abilities For example, a gambler might wish he had more money – yet gambling is more likely to drain his financial resources A drinker might want to cheer herself up – yet alcohol use contributes to the development of her depression A sex addict may crave intimacy – yet the focus on sexual acts may prevent real closeness from developing Secondly, the behavior is persistent When someone is addicted, they will continue to engage in the addictive behavior, despite it causing them trouble So an occasional weekend of self-indulgence is not addiction, although it may cause different kinds of problems Addiction involves more frequent engagement in the behavior The question is that if one still enjoys It, It Can’t Be an Addiction, Right? Wrong Because the media, in particular, have portrayed addicts as hopeless, unhappy people whose lives are falling apart, many people with addictions not believe they are addicted as long as they are enjoying themselves, and they are holding their lives together Often people’s addictions become ingrained in their lifestyle, to the point where they never or rarely feel withdrawal symptoms Or they may not recognize their withdrawal symptoms for what they are, putting them down to aging, working too hard, or just to not liking mornings People can go for years without realizing how dependent they are on their addiction People with illicit addictions may enjoy the secretive nature of their behavior They may blame society for its narrow-mindedness, choosing to see themselves as free-willed and independent individuals In reality, addictions tend to limit people’s individuality and freedoms as they become more restricted in their behaviors Imprisonment for engaging in an illegal addiction restricts their freedom even more When people are addicted, their enjoyment often becomes focused on carrying out the addictive behavior and relieving withdrawal, rather than the full range of experiences which form the person’s full potential for happiness At some point, the addicted person may realize that life has passed them by, and that they have missed out on enjoying much other than the addiction This often happens when people overcome addiction Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic Electroniccopy copyavailable availableat: at:https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 http://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 What’s the Problem if it isn’t doing any harm? Addictions are harmful both to the person with the addiction, and to the people around them The biggest problem is the addicted person’s failure to recognize the harm their addiction is doing They may have denials about the negative aspects of their addiction, choosing to ignore the effects on their health, life patterns and relationships Or they may blame outside circumstances or other people in their lives for their difficulties The harm caused by addiction is particularly difficult to recognize when the addiction is the person’s main way of coping with the other problems they have Sometimes other problems are directly related to the addiction, for example, health problems, and sometimes they are indirectly related to the addiction, for example, relationship problems Some people who get addicted to substances or activities are very aware of their addictions, and even the harms caused by the addiction, but keep doing the addictive behavior anyway This can be because they don’t feel they can cope without the addiction, because they are avoiding dealing with some other issue that the addiction distracts them from (such as being abused as a child), or because they not know how to enjoy life any other way The harm of addiction may only be recognized when the addicted person goes through a crisis This can happen when the addictive substance or behavior is taken away completely, and the person goes into withdrawal and cannot cope Or it can occur as a consequence of the addiction, such as a serious illness, a partner leaving, or loss of a job Symptoms of Addiction All addictions, whether to substances or to behaviors, involve both physical and psychological processes Each person’s experience of addiction is slightly different, and addiction usually involves a cluster of some of the following symptoms You can still be addicted even if you not have all of the symptoms There are many different addictions, but similar symptoms span them all Some of the symptoms common to addictions are: • Tolerance - the need to engage in the addictive behavior more and more to get the desired effect • Withdrawal happens when the person does not take the substance or engage in the activity, and they experience unpleasant symptoms, which are often the opposite of the effects of the addictive behavior Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 • Difficulty cutting down or controlling the addictive behavior • Social, occupational or recreational activities becoming more focused around the addiction, and important social and occupational roles being jeopardized • The person becoming preoccupied with the addiction, spending a lot of time on planning, engaging in, and recovering from the addictive behavior Signs of Addiction Symptoms can only be experienced by the person with the addiction, whereas signs can be observed by other people You can never know what someone else is experiencing unless they tell you, so if you are concerned that someone else may have an addiction, look for signs as well as for symptoms You might see some signs in an addicted person but not others These are signs which occur across many (but not necessarily all) addictions: • Extreme mood changes – happy, sad, excited, anxious, etc • Sleeping a lot more or less than usual, or at different times of day or night • Changes in energy – unexpectedly and extremely tired or energetic • Weight loss or weight gain • Unexpected and persistent coughs or sniffles • Seeming unwell at certain times, and better at other times • Pupils of the eyes seeming smaller or larger than usual • Secretiveness • Lying • Stealing • Financially unpredictable, perhaps having large amounts of cash at times but no money at all at other times • Changes in social groups, new and unusual friends, odd cell-phone conversations • Repeated unexplained outings, often with a sense of urgency • Drug paraphernalia such as unusual pipes, cigarette papers, small weighing scales, etc Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 • “Stashes” of drugs, often in small plastic, paper or foil packages Caution Most of the signs of addiction have other explanations For example, someone can be secretive because they are planning a birthday surprise for a friend People can have changes of energy for numerous reasons, health related and otherwise They can make new friendships and end old ones for many reasons other than addictions Most of the signs of addiction are similar to normal teenage behavior Unfortunately, teenagers are one of the groups most vulnerable to addiction Parents who are concerned about their teenage child should be very careful when discussing addiction with a teenager Be cautious about jumping to conclusions Unless you have found drugs or drug paraphernalia, or have some other obvious evidence of an addiction, it is likely there is another explanation However, not be naïve if you have found drugs or drug paraphernalia, as you may end up with legal problems if you not address the situation The most important factor in finding out whether someone has an addiction or not is trust Trust needs to be earned, so try to be supportive A confrontation with someone with an addiction is likely to just lead to denial and rejection from the addicted person Symptoms and Signs of Specific Addictions The links below will give you more details of the signs and symptoms of specific addictions Substance Addictions • Alcohol – for example, wine, beer, liquor • Amphetamine or similarly acting sympathomimetics – for example, speed, crystal meth • Benzodiazepines - for example, Xanax, Valium • Caffeine – for example, coffee, tea, sports drinks • Cannabis – for example, marijuana, grass, hash • Cocaine – for example, coke, crack • Hallucinogens – for example, acid, ecstasy • Inhalants – for example, poppers, aerosols Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 • Nicotine – for example, cigarettes, cigars, nicotine patches • Opioids – for example, heroin, morphine, painkillers • Phencyclidine (PCP) or similarly acting agents – for example, angel dust, ketamine • Sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics – for example, sleeping pills, downers Behavioral Addictions • Computer – for example, internet, video games, social networking sites, cybersex, online gambling • Eating – for example, overeating, binging • Exercise – for example, weight loss, sports • Gambling – for example, VLTs, casinos, slot machines • Gaming – for example, computer games • Sex – for example, porn, cybersex, multiple partners • Shopping – for example, spending, stealing • Work – for example, overwork, money, power Addiction Diagnosis The diagnosis of an addiction can seem like a daunting experience, but it can be the starting point for making positive changes in your life Where Should I Go for a Diagnosis? If you recognize the symptoms of addiction in yourself, the easiest way to find out whether you have an addiction is to make an appointment with your family doctor They may decide to refer you to a specialized addiction clinic or clinician who specializes in addictions for a full assessment and addiction diagnosis if appropriate Who Will Make the Diagnosis? Many different health care professionals are trained to conduct addiction assessments, including addictions counselors, physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers and other therapists They are often called “clinicians” when they are carrying out assessments or therapy Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 Occasionally, there is more than one person involved in making the addiction diagnosis For example, you may be interviewed once by a counselor and again by a physician Do not let this put you off – you will have two experts’ opinions instead of one! All health care professionals are trained to treat people with addictions with courtesy, respect, and a non-judgmental attitude You can trust them to keep the information you give them confidential How Will They Decide If I Am Addicted? The clinician will make the addiction diagnosis using a combination of objective criteria and clinical judgment Objective criteria are usually based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), which lists the symptoms of addiction for substance and gambling addictions As some addictions, such as sex addiction and computer addiction, are not included in this version of the DSM, the clinician should use the most recent diagnostic criteria published in scientific journals Diagnostic information can be gathered in several different ways, including: • Standardized assessment tools and other questionnaires that the clinic staff will give you to fill out • Face to face “open-ended” interviewing, which is like a conversation, with the clinician making notes This is best for history-taking so you can explain the circumstances in your own words • Face to face “structured” interviewing, in which the clinician will ask standard questions and write down your answers It’s a bit like completing a questionnaire, but you can discuss questions as you go along • The questions and focus of the discussion will involve some or all of the following: • The history of your addiction, including when and how you started the addictive behavior, how it has progressed, and factors which have contributed to its development • Your current pattern of addictive behavior – what your addictive behaviors are, how much and how often you engage in them • Your current symptoms of addiction Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 • The effects of your addiction on the other areas of your life, including your family, social life, work life and financial situation • Your readiness to change You may also be asked for a urine sample to assess the levels of drugs in your system Blood samples are not routinely taken, but if you have signs or symptoms of serious physical illness, a clinician may request a blood sample, for example, to assess your liver function Not all addiction clinics are set up to take urine or blood samples A good diagnostic assessment will also gather information on your general mental and physical health to assess whether you are suffering from another condition such as depression, anxiety disorder or personality disorder You might be referred to medical physician if there are specific physical concerns, or to a psychiatric physician if there is an indication of another significant mental health issue Inpatient or outpatient detoxification may also be advisable at this stage Co-existing conditions can and should be treated at the same time as the addictive behavior It will help the process if you follow these Tips for Getting an Accurate Diagnosis What Next Most clinics will be able to give you a verbal addiction diagnosis right away Occasionally, there may be a delay, for example, if a psychologist wants to score your standardized tests before making a diagnosis If so, you should make an appointment to come back to get your diagnosis in person Your diagnosis and the information gathered will form the basis of your treatment plan This plan will be made in consultation with you, with the opportunity to discuss their recommendations and the options available You are free to withdraw from the process at any time Often times, just knowing your addiction diagnosis can be the start of making positive changes in your life Addiction Treatment Approaches to addiction treatment depend on the needs of the individual, and may include: • Detoxification to medically manage withdrawal from alcohol or drugs • Individual therapy to help the person reach a greater understanding of their addiction and how to overcome it Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 • Group therapy to allow people with the same addiction problem to share understanding, support and encourage each other • Residential treatment to give people the chance to get away from their usual lifestyle into a safe supportive atmosphere with intensive therapy Many people successfully overcome addictions without professional help through “natural recovery” Both natural recovery and addiction treatment can be enhanced through self help groups The best known addiction self-help group is Alcoholics Anonymous or AA, which is a 12 step program, although there are many others which use different theories of addiction treatment How Do I Know Which Treatment Approach to Use? In reality, people often use a combination of approaches to addiction treatment It may take several different treatments to successfully overcome an addiction Quitting takes time, and involves several stages: • The decision to change –- you may not be ready to quit, but services exist to help you make this decision • Preparing to change –- deciding on the best way to quit • Withdrawal from the addictive behavior – can last a week or two • Developing a lifestyle without the addictive behaviour • Finding non-addictive ways of coping • Maintaining a non-addictive lifestyle over the long-term – this will take the rest of your life • Many different addiction treatments help people overcome addictions The effectiveness of your therapy will depend on: • Your readiness to change • How well you get on with your therapist • How severe your addiction is –- it is dangerous to withdraw from some drugs, including alcohol, without medical supervision Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 • Your physical health –- you may have problems such as liver disease, which also need immediate treatment • Your mental health –- your addiction may be co-occurring with another mental health problem, which will also need immediate treatment • The amount of social support you have Generally, family and friends who not share the addictive behaviour can support your recovery, but people still engaged in the same addictive behaviour tend to make it more difficult • Your financial circumstances –- you may need to take time off work, and if you have difficult financial circumstances, treatment services can connect you with financial and housing support How Do I Begin Addiction Treatment? The best place to start is to discuss your addiction with your family doctor Some ways that they help are: • Providing a long-term therapeutic relationship -– don’t underestimate the value of someone who can see you progress from being addicted to long-term recovery • Diagnosing physical and mental conditions you may not even be aware of • Referrals to other medical, psychiatric and formal addiction services • Advice on addiction treatment approaches • Medical management of your withdrawal –- they can explain how this will work, whether you need to go into a detoxification facility or hospital, and refer you to appropriate services You can also contact a helpline, to put you in touch with treatment services directly Helplines provide immediate anonymous support and information, often 24 hours a day You may still need a referral from your family doctor to get into a treatment program What Can I Expect From Addiction Treatment? Addiction treatment services vary, but expect some or all of the following: • Confidentiality with very few exceptions • Supportive professionals who will collaborate with you, accept you for who you are, empathize with your situation, encourage you to keep trying, and help you solve problems 10 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 • Individual counseling to discuss how you became addicted, your reasons for quitting, and what will help you quit • Group therapy, where you will meet other people in addiction treatment, to support each other and learn about addiction and recovery • Your addiction treatment service may or may not involve: • Drug testing -– only if abstinence from alcohol or drugs is one of the goals you agreed with your therapist • Medication management by an on-site medical professional -– a great advantage if you are detoxifying, or if you have other mental or physical concerns • Family support and/or couples counselling to give support to people in your life who could help your recovery • Follow up –- to make sure that you are still doing OK after completing the treatment program Will I Be Judged? Generally, healthcare providers take a nonjudgmental approach to treating people with addictions Anyone working in the medical system should treat you with dignity and respect, and if they not, you can make a complaint Sometimes people in group therapy are judgmental of others A facilitator will prevent this from happening by setting ground rules for participants at the beginning of the session It is part of their job to ensure that group members are respectful to each other The lack of facilitators is one of the difficulties of self-help groups If you feel judged or uncomfortable with a self-help group you are attending, try a different group What if I Can’t Quit? Successful recovery from an addiction takes time and patience The most important factor is your commitment to quitting Support is available, and if you relapse, you can always try again It is common to have several attempts before you are successful Addicted to Shopping : When You Don’t Know When To Stop Oniomania Oniomania is the psychiatric term for compulsive shopping, or shopping addiction People 11 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 with oniomania shop on impulse as a way of coping and find it difficult to control their spending or shopping behaviors Oniomania (the word is derived from the Greek Words: onios = "for sale" and mania = "insanity"), often colloquially referred to as shopaholic, is a medical term for the compulsive desire to shop Oniomania is the technical term for the compulsive desire to shop, more commonly referred to as compulsive shopping, compulsive buying, shopping addiction or shopaholism Another common version of this syndrome is credit card addiction, also can take the form of compulsive credit card use All of these are considered to be either clinical addictions or impulse control disorders, depending on the clinical source: First described by Kraepelin in 1915, and then Bleuler in 1924, as oniomania from the Greek oneomai, to buy, included among other pathological and reactive impulses, compulsive buying went largely ignored for nearly sixty years Omniomania, compulsive shopping (or what's more commonly referred to as shopping addiction), is perhaps the most socially reinforced of the behavioral addictions We are surrounded by advertising, telling us that buying will make us happy We are encouraged by politicians to spend as a way of boosting the economy And we all want to have what those around us have –- consumerism has become a measure of our social worth Although widespread consumerism has escalated in recent years, shopping addiction is not a new disorder It was recognized as far back as the early nineteenth century, and was cited as a psychiatric disorder in the early twentieth century Almost everyone shops to some degree, but only about 6% of the U.S population is thought to have a shopping addiction Usually beginning in the late teens and early adulthood, shopping addiction often co-occurs with other disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, other impulse control disorders, and personality disorders Normal Shopping v Shopping Addiction So what makes the difference between normal shopping, occasional splurges, and shopping addiction? As with all addictions, shopping becomes the person’s main way of coping with stress, to the point where they continue to shop excessively even when it is clearly having a negative impact on other areas of their life As with other addictions, finances and relationships are damaged, yet the shopping addict feels unable to stop or even control their spending The Controversy of Shopping Addiction Like other behavioral addictions, shopping addiction is a controversial idea Many experts balk at the idea that excessive spending can constitute an addiction, believing that there has12 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 to be a psychoactive substance which produces symptoms such as physical tolerance and withdrawal for an activity to be a true addiction There is also some disagreement among professionals about whether compulsive shopping should be considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), impulse control disorder (like pathological gambling), mood disorder (like depression), or addiction It has been suggested that, along with kleptomania (compulsive stealing) and binge-eating disorder (BED), it be viewed as an impulsive-compulsive spectrum disorder How Is Shopping Addiction Like Other Addictions? There are several characteristics that shopping addiction shares with other addictions As with other addictions, shopping addicts become preoccupied with spending, and devote significant time and money to the activity Actual spending is important to the process of shopping addiction; window shopping does not constitute an addiction, and the addictive pattern is actually driven by the process of spending money As with other addictions, shopping addiction is highly ritualized and follows a typically addictive pattern of thoughts about shopping, planning shopping trips, and the shopping act itself, often described as pleasurable, ecstatic even, and as providing relief from negative feelings Finally, the shopper crashes, with feelings of disappointment, particularly with the him/herself Compulsive shoppers use shopping as a way of escaping negative feelings, such as depression, anxiety, boredom, self-critical thoughts, and anger Unfortunately, the escape is short-lived The purchases are often simply hoarded unused, and compulsive shoppers will then begin to plan the next spending spree Most shop alone, although some shop with others who enjoy it Generally, it will lead to embarrassment to shop with people who don’t share this type of enthusiasm for shopping What If I Have a Shopping Addiction? Research indicates that around three-quarters of compulsive shoppers are willing to admit their shopping is problematic, particularly in areas of finances and relationships Of course, this may reflect the willingness of those who participate in research to admit to having problems Fortunately, although not yet well-researched, compulsive shopping does appear to respond well to a range of treatments, including medications, self help books, self help groups, financial counseling, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) It should be noted, however, that although some medications show promise, results are mixed, so they should not be considered a sole or reliable treatment If you believe you may have a shopping addiction, discuss possible treatments with your doctor You may also find it helpful to get financial counseling, particularly if you have run up debts by spending It is recommended that you abstain from use of checkbooks and credit 13 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 cards, as the easy access to funding tends to fuel the addiction Shopping only with friends or relatives who not compulsively spend is also a good idea, as they can help you to curb your spending Finding alternative ways of enjoying your leisure time is essential to breaking the cycle of using shopping as way of trying to feel better about yourself Remember, you are a worthwhile person, no matter how much or how little you own Is Shopping Addiction, or Overspending, a Real Addiction? Since the popularity of the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic, it is not uncommon to hear people, particularly young and young at heart women talk of being "shopaholics." As shopping addiction has become associated with wealthy, attractive celebrities, and characters such as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, who overspent on shoes, it has almost become fashionable to "admit" to uncontrolled spending But is overspending, or shopping addiction, a real addiction, like alcoholism or drug addiction? Shopping addiction is not currently recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition), and there is no agreement among experts on whether it should be included in future editions However, that doesn't mean overspending isn't a problem People with serious problems with overspending can be diagnosed with Impulse Control Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified, a diagnostic label that can apply to a range of excessive, impulsive behaviors, including compulsive buying Excessive shopping is also given as an example of a behavior that can be a characteristic of a manic episode, as part of bipolar disorder It is clear that whether it is called "shopping addiction," "compulsive shopping," "compulsive buying," or "overspending," it shares many features of other addictions, including spending a lot of time thinking about, planning, and repetitively engaging in the behavior, even when it becomes harmful; having difficulty controlling the behavior; and experiencing distress or disruption to other areas of life as a result Keep in mind that shopping addiction is only an addiction if it is problematic or harmful in some way, it is not a label that can simply be applied to anyone who enjoys shopping or who spends a lot of time and/or money shopping While "shopping addiction" is not officially recognized, there are several treatments that may help with problematic aspects of these behaviors Effective treatments include individual therapy, group cognitive-behavioral therapy, marital and couples counseling, credit counseling and debt management In some cases, medication can help, particularly if the behavior is stemming from mania related to bipolar disorder, or from depression, which occurs in around 50% of shopping addicts Research is still emerging, so in the years to 14 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 come, we can expect approaches to treating shopping addiction and overspending more effectively The bottom line: While shopping addiction isn't officially recognized as a disorder, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist As shopping addiction can be a symptom of serious mental illness, if you or someone you know has "shopping addict" like behavior, you should talk with your doctor as soon as possible Is Compulsive Shopping Really an Addiction? Shopping addiction, also known as compulsive shopping, compulsive spending, compulsive buying or oniomania, is often trivialized in the media It is posed as the behavior of superficial fashion victims invariably female and typified by wealthy celebrities with little more to with their time than purchase shoes The movie "Confessions of a Shopaholic" in some ways reinforced this view, although it also contained some observations that are relevant to those suffering from problems of overspending Rarely is shopping addiction taken as seriously as addiction to substances like alcohol and drugs or other behaviors, such as compulsive gambling Is this because it is not a legitimate addiction? Latest Developments Although there is a large and growing body of research into compulsive buying, unlike research into other addictions, much of the compulsive buying research is published in journals on marketing and consumer research These journals have a different audience, consisting mainly of marketing professionals rather than clinical professionals Clearly, the motives of those interested in marketing and understanding consumer behavior are quite different from those who are interested in preventing and treating addictions So, for compulsive shopping to be recognized as a disorder in its own right, it will have to be taken on as a topic worthy of research by the addiction and medical fields and studied from that perspective One of the latest developments in compulsive shopping research is the finding that shopping online is particularly attractive to people who are "addicted" to shopping This is because online shopping appeals to several motivations that are particularly strong in compulsive shoppers, including the need to seek out variety in and information about products; to buy without being seen; to avoid social interactions while shopping; and to experience pleasure while shopping As secrecy in carrying out the activity and intense pleasure while engaging in the activity are common across all addictive behaviors, this research supports the notion that compulsive 15 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 shopping is, indeed, an addiction Online shopping is one of several computer-based activities that have an addictive component; others include online gambling, online porn, and video game playing Although under consideration for inclusion in the DSM (the manual for clinical diagnosis) for now, it seems that these activities will not be included as stand-alone addictive disorders just yet While these "cyber-addictions" are yet to gain full recognition, that is largely a reflection of the lack of a strong record of research on which to base the required detail for DSM-listed conditions It does not indicate that cyber-addictions are not prevalent, problematic or taken seriously by the psychiatric community There is also a growing awareness of the need to help people who suffer from financial hardship as a result of compulsive shopping Background Compulsive shopping has been recognized for the past 100 years, and people with problems controlling their spending can be diagnosed under impulse control disorder, not otherwise specified Although shopping addiction, along with many other behavioral addictions, was under consideration for inclusion in the next version of the DSM (DSM-V), it is not currently listed under the proposed new behavioral addictions, nor as a stand-alone impulse control disorder Some experts have suggested that shopping addiction is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) A continuum between obsessive-compulsive disorders and impulse control disorders, with shopping addiction and other behavioral addictions appearing around the middle of the continuum, has been proposed However, in reviewing the available evidence, the DSM taskforce has argued that shopping addiction does not fit with OCD criteria The conditions have different phenomenology, there is a lack of OCD family history in people with shopping addiction, and there are different treatment responses in people with shopping addiction for whom SSRIs may be ineffective from people with bone fide OCD An alternative suggestion is that shopping addiction is a form of "affective spectrum disorder," based on its similarity to bipolar disorder Overlap between bipolar disorders and impulse control disorders include engaging in behaviors that are potentially harmful, sensation-seeking and/or pleasurable; rapid, impulsive thinking; poor insight into dangers or consequences; and the association of mood symptoms with impulses, and euphoria with carrying out the "impulsive" behavior, such as shopping The DSM-IV criteria for a manic episode include, among many other symptoms, "Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees )." However, excessive buying is just one example of manic behavior, and people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder are not all compulsive 16 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 shoppers What's the Difference Between Compulsive Shopping and Impulsive Shopping? Experts who have looked into this issue say that the difference between compulsive shopping and impulse buying rests with the internal motivation, or reason, for the making the purchase While impulse buying is largely unplanned, and happens in the moment in reaction to an external trigger such as seeing the desired item in the shop compulsive shopping is more inwardly motivated A compulsive shopper will plan the shopping experience as a way to avoid or relieve uncomfortable internal feelings, such as anxiety Compulsive shoppers are also more likely to experience negative consequences as a result of their shopping than impulse buyers, such as running into financial difficulties, having arguments with family members, and experiencing emotional confusion They are also more likely to fall into a pattern of addictive behavior, in which they shop more and more in an attempt to stave off stress and anxiety This is how shopping addiction develops Taking Shopping Addiction Seriously Shopaholics, their friends, families and supporters, are often confused about the nature of the problem Lots of people like to shop, and payment by credit card is a way of life, so when does it cross the line and become an addiction? Generally, as with all addictions, shopping becomes an addiction when it is used to avoid other problems in life, and is relied upon more and more as a coping strategy, even when it causes further problems This is a cycle seen in all behavioral addictions But there is some controversy over whether shopping addiction is really an addiction, given the fact that it can crop up as part of a manic episode in people who have bipolar disorder, and some feel it is part of the spectrum of obsessive compulsive disorders, rather than an addiction Furthermore, with shopping addiction being trivialized in the media, by stereotypical "girly" characters, such a Rebecca in Confessions of a Shopaholic, many wonder whether shopping addiction should be taken seriously as a real addiction In an increasingly materialistic society, it has become almost fashionable to call yourself a "shopaholic," and so many people feel overshopping is a natural off-shoot of the more towards credit cards and a self-indulgent society But shopping addiction can be serious, and should be taken seriously Not only can it be a sign of other mental health problems, it can lead to serious consequences for finances and relationships So if you think you or a loved one might be a shopaholic, don't be shy in asking your doctor for help 17 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 Portrayal of Addiction In "Confessions of a Shopaholic" : Movie Portrays Several Misconceptions About Shopping Addiction "Confessions of a Shopaholic" does not intend to be a serious film, yet it portrays a serious subject shopping addiction Although the movie contains some elements of truth, it also reinforces some unhelpful ideas about shopping addiction Here are several misconceptions: Shopping Addiction Is a Largely Female Problem This misconception is even reflected in the literature on shopping addiction, with early estimates being that up to 95% of shopping addicts were women However, recent research has indicated that the problem also affects men In the movie, the main character, Rebecca, is the stereotypical shopping addict a young woman in pursuit of designer clothing and accessories However, men were represented in her 12-step group Shopping Addiction Is All About Feeling Good Rebecca was not shown to experience any of the negative emotions associated with the addictive cycle She was shown to experience excitement and ecstasy during her shopping trips, but she did not seem to have any negative feelings about it, such as disappointment, which usually occur in shopping addiction after a purchase has been made The negative consequences were mostly limited to other people's reactions to her lies and debt Debt Problems Arising From Shopping Addiction Are Easily Solved Probably the most implausible aspect of the movie was the way that Rebecca's debt problems were resolved in a very short space of time, through her re-selling of clothing and accessories at a huge profit While in the movie Rebecca had become something of an overnight celebrity (itself a highly unlikely event), in reality, a shopping addict is likely to have to invest a lot of time and effort and take a considerable loss when reselling items, even if they are in good condition Longer term consequences of credit card debt, such as a poor credit rating, are not mentioned in the movie Family and Friends Quickly Overcome Undermined Trust In the movie, Rebecca lies to everyone, and particularly hurts her best friend/roommate and her employer/boyfriend Both overcome their hurt feelings and forgive her quickly and easily once she begins her recovery In reality, it can be very difficult and take time for people with addictions to gain forgiveness and regain trust when they have hurt loved ones through their addiction 12-Step Programs Are a Joke I am yet to see a responsible portrayal of a 12-step meeting in a movie, and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" is no exception Although 12-step meetings are not for everyone, they are a valuable source of support for many people, and the problems they address are serious Addiction is no laughing matter, and I hope people who are looking for support are not put off trying 12-step programs because of what I consider the ridiculous way that the groups, their leaders, and their participants are portrayed in this movie Recovery Is Quick and Easy 18 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 The process of recovery from an addiction is a lifelong process There are many different theories about addiction, but what they share is that overcoming an addiction is not easy Furthermore, whether you aim for lifelong abstinence (which would be extremely difficult with shopping, as it is a necessary activity) or better control over your shopping, restraint has to be exercised at every step along the way The emotional problems that caused the addiction to develop in the first place still need to be addressed, and the stress of daily life still needs to be managed None of these issues were touched upon in the movie Disorders Psychiatrists often call oniomania a compulsive disorder or addiction, but it has only been accepted as a disorder by the Deutsche Gesellschaft Zwangserkrankungen (German organization for obsessive-compulsive disorders), for several years In the United States, impulsive-compulsive buying behavior may be diagnosed as an Impulse control disorder Not Otherwise Specified in the DSM-IV-TR It may be under consideration for inclusion as a separate specific Impulse-Control Disorder in the next edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Only in the past twenty years has specific and persistent inquiry into the disorder occurred Although the study of compulsive buying is still in its infancy compared with some of its psychological siblings—alcoholism, eating disorders or drug abuse—there is more and more evidence that it poses a serious and worsening problem, one with significant emotional, social, occupational, and financial consequences As many as 8.9 percent of the American population may be full-fledged compulsive buyers and the problem is fast becoming a global one The terms compulsive shopping, compulsive buying, and compulsive spending are often used interchangeably, but the behaviors they represent are in fact distinctly different However, one may buy without shopping or certainly shop without buying Most current researchers use the term compulsive buying and subscribe to an exceptionally specific definition proposed by McElroy and her colleagues (1994) as follows: Compulsive buying is a maladaptive preoccupation with buying or shopping, or maladaptive buying or shopping impulses or behavior, as indicated by either: frequent preoccupation with buying or impulses to buy that is/are experienced as irresistible, intrusive, and/or senseless, or frequent buying items that are not needed or cannot be afforded or shopping for longer periods of time than intended The buying preoccupations, impulses, or behaviors cause marked distress, are timeconsuming, significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning, or result in financial problems, and they not occur exclusively during periods of hypomania or mania Symptoms Similar to other compulsive behaviors, sufferers often experience the highs and lows associated with addiction Victims often experience moods of satisfaction when they are in the process of purchasing, which seems to give their life meaning while letting them forget about their sorrows Once leaving the environment where the purchasing occurred, the19 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 feeling of a personal reward has already gone To compensate, the addicted person goes shopping again Eventually a feeling of suppression will overcome the person For example, cases have shown that the bought goods will be hidden or destroyed, because the person concerned feels ashamed of their addiction and tries to conceal it Causes Personal The addicted person gets into a vicious circle that consists of negative emotions like anger and stress, which lead to purchasing something After the buying is over, the person is either regretful or depressed In order to cope with the feelings, the addicted person resorts to another purchase Shopaholism often begins at an early age Children who experience parental neglect often grow up with low self-esteem because throughout much of their childhood they experienced that they were not important as a person As a result, they used toys to compensate for their feelings of loneliness Adults that have depended on materials for emotional support when they were much younger are more likely to become addicted to shopping because of the ongoing sentiment of deprivation they endured as children During adulthood, the purchase instead of the toy is substituted for affection Shopaholics are unable to deal with their everyday problems, especially those that alter their self-esteem Most of the issues in their lives are repressed by buying something This disorder is often linked to emotional deprivations in childhood, an inability to tolerate negative feelings, the need to fill an internal void, excitement seeking, excessive dependency, approval seeking, perfectionism, general impulsiveness and compulsiveness, and the need to gain control Compulsive buying seems to represent a search for self in people whose identity is neither firmly felt nor dependable Most shopaholics try to counteract feelings of low selfesteem through the emotional lift and momentary euphoria provided by compulsive shopping These shoppers, who also experience a higher than normal rate of associated disorders—depression, bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression), anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, and impulse-control disorders—may be using their symptom to selfmedicate Systemic Social conditions may also play an important role, especially in capitalist societies that are dominated by a consumerist economy Ubiquitous marketing and advertising promotes a culture of consumerism, by encouraging the creation of artificial needs Debt, facilitated by credit cards, enable the casual spending beyond that of ones means What differentiates oniomania from healthy shopping is this compulsive, destructive and chronic nature of the buying Consequences The consequences of oniomania, which may persist long after a spree, can be devastating They may include crushing consumer debt, ruined credit history, theft or defalcation of20 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 money, defaulted loans, and general financial trouble The resulting stress can lead to physical health problems, marital problems, ruined relationships, and in some cases, suicide Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) is characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying behavior that causes adverse consequences Most persons with CBD meet the criteria for an axis II disorder CBD is found in 5.8% of the United States population, of which approximately 80% are female It is frequently co-morbid with mood, anxiety, substance abuse and eating disorders Onset of CBD occurs in the late teens and early twenties and is generally chronic CBD is similar to, but distinguished from OCD hoarding and mania Promising treatments for CBD include medication such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), and support groups such as Debtors Anonymous Retail Therapy Retail therapy is shopping with the primary purpose of improving the buyer's mood or disposition Often seen in people during periods of depression or transition, it is normally a short-lived habit Items purchased during periods of retail therapy are sometimes referred to as "comfort buys" Retail therapy was first used as a term in the 1980s with the first reference being this sentence in the Chicago Tribune of Christmas Eve 1986: "We've become a nation measuring out our lives in shopping bags and nursing our psychic ills through retail therapy." In 2001, the European Union conducted a study finding that 33% of shoppers surveyed had "high level of addiction to rash or unnecessary consumption" This was causing debt problems for many with the problem being particularly bad in young Scottish people How to Get Retail Therapy Retail therapy (or shopping to feel better when you are feeling down) can be a useful tool, when not used to excess Read on for tips to keep your retail therapy enjoyable (rather than guilt inducing and bank breaking) • • • Limit your retail therapy Retail therapy is actually the kind of activity that is more enjoyable "in doses" rather than done excessively When you "over shop," you run the risk of going broke, which will only increase your anxiety exponentially, rather than soothing you and making you feel better Pay attention to your mood when you shop You don't want to become addicted to shopping Are you using retail therapy to feel good and happy, or are you using it to numb your feelings the way a compulsive gambler turns to poker or a binge eater turns to chocolate? If you feel genuinely good when you shop (rather than numbed out), and if you can control your shopping habits, these are both good signs Remember you don't need to shop at fancy, overpriced department stores to get your retail therapy "fix." A trip to Target can be just as fruitful, if not more so, because you will get much more bang for your buck! 21 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 Try to shop with cash (or with your debit card rather than with a credit card) Don't charge your retail therapy If you can't afford it, find a different way to feel good Remember, shopping only has therapeutic value if it actually improves your mood and gives you pleasure rather than making you feel guilty or bad or negative in any way If your current budget does not allow for retail therapy, remember there are lots of other cost-free ways to feel good, such as taking a walk or talking to a good friend, both of which can lift your spirits enormously, and neither of which costs a dime Researchers at Melbourne University have advocated its classification as a psychological disorder called oniomania or compulsive shopping disorder Buyer's Remorse Buyer's remorse is the feeling of regret after a purchase It is frequently associated with the purchase of higher value items such as a car or house It may stem from a sense of not wishing to be wrong, of guilt over extravagance or from feeling that one has been persuaded by a salesman Buyer's remorse is the term given to the feeling a person often gets after making a large purchase Although excited at the time of the purchase, once they've spent a lot of money, many people feel a deep regret and concern that they made the wrong decision, referred to as buyer's remorse Buyer's remorse takes many different forms, most of them typified by a high level of anxiety, usually about having made the wrong decision Sometimes buyer's remorse strikes when a person makes a purchase they may not have actually had the money or credit for, and after buying it they begin to realize that they were living well outside of their means, and worry begins to grow over the consequences This is especially true of purchases such as buying a new home, which is one of the most common triggers for buyer's remorse, due in no small part to the huge amounts of money usually involved Buyer's remorse may also focus on the worry that a purchase was made at the wrong time, and that by waiting a better deal could be had This type of buyer's remorse is especially common in the technology sector, and in automobiles, where new generations of products are released regularly A person might make a purchase and then immediately begin wishing they had waited for the next generation to come out, as their product will soon be outdated This type of buyer's remorse is largely unfounded, since the same case can be made at any point in time, as new generations are constantly being rolled out It is especially prevalent when a new generation of a product is immediately released, however, leading the buyer to wish they had waited a week or two before committing to a purchase Buyer's remorse may also express itself as extreme guilt over the buying act itself Especially with people who may have a problem with over-consumption, after making a purchase they may begin to feel regret for having once again succumbed to an addiction This may also manifest as a concern for how others will view their purchases, especially if they may easily be viewed as frivolous or in bad judgment 22 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 Psychologically, buyer's remorse makes perfect sense A consumer switches from one state to another when making a purchase, where the state before they've made the purchase has enormous positive influence, and the purchase afterward loses a great deal of that Before making a purchase, a buyer is faced with a great deal of choices, giving them a sense of agency and power in the world They have money or credit to spend, and get to exert their dominance over the marketplace by placing their purchasing power After the purchase, however, all options have vanished Buyer's remorse may set in as they see themselves locked into a single decision, which may or may not have been the best, and seek their purchasing power reduced No longer acting from a position of control, many people react by seeking to distance themselves from the purchasing act, to reaffirm their sense of having had a wide field of choices Buyer's remorse is, in this way, seen as a very simple state of cognitive dissonance, where the desire to retain complete control and infinite possibilities clashes with the reality of actually exerting that control by limiting those possibilities Causes The anxiety may be rooted in various factors, such as: the person's concern they purchased the wrong product, purchased for a bad price, purchased instead of waiting for a newer model, purchased in an ethically unsound way, purchased on credit, or purchased something that would not be acceptable to others In the phase before purchasing, a prospective buyer often feels positive emotions associated with a purchase (desire, a sense of heightened possibilities, and an anticipation of the enjoyment that will accompany using the product, for example); afterwards, having made the purchase, they are more fully able to experience the negative aspects: all the opportunity costs of the purchase, and a reduction in purchasing power Also, before the purchase, the buyer has a full array of options, including not purchasing; afterwards, their options have been reduced to: • • Continuing with the purchase, surrendering all alternatives Renouncing the purchase Buyer's remorse can also be caused or increased by worrying that other people may later question the purchase or claim to know better alternatives The remorse associated with some extreme shopping activity may be, again, a sign of some deeper disquiet; normal "buyer's remorse" should not be confused with the complex emotional dynamics of "shopaholic" behaviour, any more than eating too much on special occasions should not be confused with a serious eating disorder such as bulimia Origins Buyer's remorse, when evidence exists that it is justified, is a classical example of cognitive 23 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 dissonance One will either seek to discount the new evidence, or truly regret and try to renounce the purchase Post-Purchase Rationalization Post-purchase rationalization is a common phenomenon after people have invested significant time, money, or effort in something to convince themselves that it must have been worth it Many decisions are made emotionally, and so are often rationalized retrospectively in an attempt to justify the choice This rationalization is based on the principle of commitment and the psychological desire to stay consistent to that commitment Some authorities would also consider this rationalization a manifestation of cognitive dissonance References: • • • • • • • • Retailing Management: Levy, Weitz, Pandit (Tata McGraw-Hill Publications, India) Mall Management: Sheikh, Fatima (PHI, India) Consumer Behaviour: Schiffman, Kanuk (PHI, India) Abnormal Psychology & Modern Life: Carson, Butcher, Mineka (Pearson, India) Social Psychology- Sociological Perspectives: Editors; Rosemberg, Turner (Basic Books, Inc; Publishers, NY) Introduction to Psychology: Morgan, King, Weiz, Schopler (Tata McGraw-Hill Publications, India) Cognitive Psychology- Mind & Brain: Smith, Kosslyn (PHI, India) Personality- Classical & Modern Theories: Friedman, Schustack (Pearson, India) 24 Addicted to Shopping: Shiladitya Verma (C)   Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1656280 ... only increase your anxiety exponentially, rather than soothing you and making you feel better Pay attention to your mood when you shop You don't want to become addicted to shopping Are you using... in young Scottish people How to Get Retail Therapy Retail therapy (or shopping to feel better when you are feeling down) can be a useful tool, when not used to excess Read on for tips to keep your... factor is your commitment to quitting Support is available, and if you relapse, you can always try again It is common to have several attempts before you are successful Addicted to Shopping : When