There comes a point where enough is enough and a person’s shopping habits start to affect their financial stability. A shopping addiction is a real illness that needs treatment. All people shop in a bigger or smaller degree, but about 6% of the population in the US is thought to have a shopping addiction. However, this illness is not a completely new phenomenon.

People in today’s society are surrounding by adverts that continuously encourage the interest and purchase of new products. However people need to know how to distinguish between the things they really need and the things they do not.  How can a person know if he or she is a shopaholic or not? Well, to start with, a shopping addict usually feels unable to stop or even control his or her spending.

We are here going to give you some clues to figure out if you are a shopaholic:

Do you usually buy as a way of escape?

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. Those who use shopping as a measure to raise their spirits are at higher risk for a shopping addiction than those that do not.

Are you a compulsive spender?

If you cannot go to the store for a particular product, buy it and come back home without shopping anything else, you may be a compulsive spender. Compulsive spenders have troubles setting spending limits and sticking to budgets, and are the types of people that will buy the first thing they see.

Do you always make excuses about your shopping habits?

When you start hearing yourself saying things like “I had to have it”, “It wasn’t that expensive,” or “I don´t need it now, but maybe when the winter comes…” you are trying to justify the unnecessary purchases. Another sign is when you are invited for a party and you suddenly feel the need to buy something new because you do not find the appropriate dress among the 20 that you already have.

Do you feel bad with yourself when you came back from shopping?

Excessive shopping and spending will cause guilt and false reasoning, a tell-tale sign of a shopping addiction.

Have you unsuccessfully tried to change your shopping way before?

Whenever we have to alter the way we do things, it is a sign that there is a problem with the process. If you have tried to control your spending but have failed to do so so far, you may be a shopaholic.

Do you spend over the budget?

A regular person will say, “I can’t afford to buy this”, but someone who has an addiction will not recognize the boundaries of a budget.

If you have answered ‘yes’ to all of the questions above there is a great chance that you are a shopaholic. However, the following advice could prove valuable for your recovery. It would be a good idea for you to only go shopping in the company of friends or relatives who do not compulsively spend, as they can help you to curb your spending.  In addition, when feeling down, consider going out for a walk, writing in a journal, or doing yoga, these will help you. Try some of them, you will notice the difference.

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About the author

Lydia Cerrada
As a Journalist I have been given the opportunity to explore the world and what it has to offer. Traveling has become my passion; I get to learn by getting involved in all kind of experiences. There is no challenge that I will turn down. As long as you face life with a positive attitude there’ll be no limits, just be persistent ;) If you want to know more about me just follow me on Twitter @Skapy4