Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Compulsive spending

dogs1995
dogs1995
I find when I'm up I become obsessed with buying new items to change my "look"- usually clothing, a haircut or cosmetics- and drop everything I'm doing to go out and buy it right away. If I don't, I'm obsessing over the item all day and sometimes get irritated that I don't have it. I find that it gives me a feeling of accomplishment that my mania desires. I can't sit around and do nothing. If I can't afford new clothes, I like to leave my house and just browse health food stores, looking at the expensive food (and usually buying it) just to feel productive.
I'm a full time student and can't afford these shopping sprees!! Usually when I snap out of it, I return most of the stuff but I keep some that either can't be returned or I genuinely really like. But still, I can't afford this habit.

Does anyone else deal with compulsive spending/a shopping addiction when they're up? How do you deal with it?
MayB
MayB
Yes it's been a problem for a very long time....it's usually how I know I'm up.

Made a deal with myself it's OK to go shopping as long as I don't bring my wallet along! It took discipline to leave it at home but it worked eventually.

Now I just stay out of stores and offline as well! It's great that you know this is going on. What's the antidote for you dogs1995?
bbipolar
bbipolar
Yes I have compulsive spending too. I bought all my Christmas presents for my granddaughters on a credit card that has all my vet bills on it too. It will eventually even out though. I'm trying to stay out of a store that has 50% off everything, plus I have a $20 coupon. Ach, the agony of not having the money!
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
I have to and I ended up in bankruptcy.... Don't do what I did.... It really is an awful thing and sends your self worth into the tank

If you want to stop it only use cash for purchases and get rid of credit cards and don't use debit cards unless absolutely necessary

Go to the bank if you want to make a purchase so you'll have to think about it first... Again only use cash

This made a big difference to me over the last few years... I've been out of bankruptcy for a few years now but I won't apply for credit again as I know I can't afford it
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
If I really want something online I give the cash to my good friend/landlord who knows my story and he'll order it for me.... So if you want to purchase online I would ask someone who knows you well there is trust there.... you give the cash to them when they make the purchase
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
hi, it could be a numbe rof things - people are subjected to marketing campaingn's, peer pressure etc so that if you don't actually sometimes overspend there might actually be something wrong with you.

But if it is accompanied by a feeling of anxiety, a jitteryness and compulsion to do more spending it can be bipolar.

Two symptoms of bipolar are what they call increased goal directed behaviour and lowering of inhibitions which is what is behind hypersexuality, over spending etc.

I would suggest meds but I see you have chosen the holistic route. You may find that isn't really helping with this and these things have a habit of getting worse untreated.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
what works for me, apart from meds ..is simply to put off the purchase for a day or two
BabyShelby
BabyShelby
Here's a little trick I use when shopping in brick & mortar stores: I shop with abandon -- picking up anything and everything that grabs my attention. I even put it in my cart and visualize "owning" it -- until the next item grabs my attention. I walk around the store for a spell with all my treasures and then, when it's time to go, I put them all back.

There's something about "owning" it for a minute that is satisfying. Occasionally, I have returned to actually purchase something I "owned" for a minute, but not very often.
JennS
JennS
That is a very interesting method, Shelby. I'm a pretty frugal person so I don't find myself spending compulsively. I've heard that a lot of bipolars do and thought it was strange that I didn't. I'm very glad that I don't have the need to spend compulsively. I have other problems to battle. May you find ways to curb spending. Hugs.
dobiedots
dobiedots
I force myself to wait 24 hours before I make the purchase. Usually by then I have lost interest in the item.
It's a hard thing to deal with dogs...I struggle with it a lot.
In fact, yesterday I got on a kick about Coloring Books...and I wanted a Christmas theme, so I went on Amazon and bought one. I didn't wait 24 hours. Since it was only $8 I'm not too worried about it, but still, I broke my own rule.
dogs1995
dogs1995
Thanks for the replies everyone!
I really like the idea of not bringing my wallet with me when I go 'browsing' or just using cash.
Credit cards are the enemy here, lol. Especially as a student!
I totally agree dobie... The cravings usually go away within a few days.

My method is usually to just wait it out. Or, I try to do something else 'productive'- which is usually going for a run.
dobiedots
dobiedots
One thing I did after I filed for bankruptcy is I got rid of ALL my credit cards. Never applied for one again. Yes, there is life w/o credit cards and it's much less stressful.
Autumn111269
Autumn111269
I totally understand. Once when very manic I didn't have any money but was working so I took out five different payday loans by going to places that were not networked so they didn't know I had taken one out already. I ended up 2500. in debt and ended up having to borrow money from a friend to help me pay them off and pay him back without interest like those places charge. I had a blast spending the money but it was so crazy. NOw, if I get a little manic, my pdoc locks my credit cards and check book up in a safe in his office until it has passed. I guess I deal more with the depressive side and only get manic a couple of times a year. But, it is very hard not to spend, shop, and lose it a bit. Hope you have better luck and don't get into any financial messes when you up there! :)
dobiedots
dobiedots
Oh Autumn, I forgot about payday loans. Yes, I too had 5 out at the same time. So what did I do? I skipped town and left no forwarding address. Yup, I admit it. Things were really bad at that time.
Needless to say, I warn my friends about those payday loans. They should be illegal. You can never pay them back!!
dogs1995
dogs1995
Wow Autumn! That sounds pretty brutal. I got a credit card to build a credit score but I feel like it's a pretty dangerous game being bipolar and owning one. Thank you for all the advice!
daftoptms
daftoptms
I'm going through it right now. I'm in depth up to the top of my head. Yes I'm considering bankruptcy. If my husband knew how much debt I'm in he would lose it. He's bailed me out twice.

I'm already on on debt consolidation plan, but I don't think these next set of creditors are gonna except my plan . I haven't had the cards long and I've maxed them out.

Clothes are my downfall. I LOVE clothes, shoes and now I'm shopping for art. Why I buy art is beyond me bc I'm an artist and can paint that shit myself. Items I can return, but clothes? Unless I look terrible on me I can't let them go

I'm hurting about my mom's death and I'm sure that's why. 2moro the 6th is the day
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