ARE YOU VICTIM?
One of many differences between sexes can be noted through what they typically purchase. According to recent studies men tend to buy articles like computers, cameras, tools and electronic devices, while women purchase clothes, jewelery, make-up and articles for the home.
This popular hobby supports the mentality – the best thing for a heartache is a new pair of shoes. Studies reveal that one in 20 people, use shopping as a way to deal with anxiety, pain, anguish and solitude. Although this may seem to be a harmless, quick fix, the instant gratification associated with making totally unnecessary purchases to ease or distract one self can eventually lead to problematic situations.
This pattern of behaviour turns consumers into easy prey for marketing and sales professionals and contributes to the accumulation of senseless purchases and unnecessary debt. Eventually this accumulation of material goods and the associated debt becomes unsustainable. Reality sets in when payments are postponed, ones credit rating is affected and fears of bankruptcy set in.
Compulsive buyers behave similar to substance addicts. Becoming aware and accepting that a problem exists is crucial before any external assistance can begin to remedy the root cause. In extreme cases professional treatment is the best option.
Nonetheless, we have all felt satisfied when making emotional purchases; the perfect outfit for an event, the latest cleaning product or the ultimate electronic device. Being a sucker or bad shopper is one thing it’s another thing to continuously repeat the behaviour.
According to the US Department of Commerce some people make such purchases up to 5 times per week. Men and women are equally prone to compulsive shopping. The myth that only women are affected was broken by Dr. Lorrin Koran, a Stanford Psychiatry Professor.
Psychologists affirm that the fact that people make purchases when they are sad in an attempt to fill an emotional emptiness is common however this becomes problematic when the frequency becomes uncontrollable. The fact that we live in a consumer driven culture where acquiring endless credit is common practice makes compulsive shopping more than an individual problem but a public, social issue.
According to experts compulsive shoppers are unsatisfied with aspects of their lives and shopping acts as an agent to fill a sense of emptiness and stimulate the brain.
Dopamine, a substance in the brain, that affects mood becomes charged and generates adrenalin when an emotional purchase is made. This stimulates a repetitive, addictive impulse to buy.
Generally this compulsive behaviour begins between 15 and 20 years old and can last a lifetime without treatment. Typically a compulsive shopper feels a euphoric sensation when shopping, but that momentary high is later transformed into remorse when financial realities are considered.
Compulsive shopping is a serious problem that requires intervention and treatment.