Shopping Addiction Support Group
Oniomania (also known as shopping addiction), is the compulsive desire to shop. Similar to other compulsive behaviors, sufferers often experience the highs and lows associated with addiction. The purchase generates a mood of satisfaction, gives their life meaning, and lets them forget about their sorrows.
Hi everyone!
I wanted to write a post so you guys didnt think I was just spying or something. I have just recently discovered that I have an online shopping problem. Mine started when I started taking Ambien for my insomnia. I would buy things on QVC and a few other favorite sites and then forget all about it until the packages showed up. Four years ago I had a similar problem where I racked up quite a bit of credit card debt, but was shopping to fill the void of not having children. Now, I think its more of a control thing. I havent put us back in debt (yet), but I am spending nearly everyday now on things we definatly do not need. My business is doing well, and the funds are there (for now), but I am blowing through the money faster and faster and really feel empty if I dont shop. I used to never buy for myself and always for my husband or family and now I always buy for myself. I justify it by telling myself that I work hard for it, so I deserve to have it. And, as I said before, its a control issue. My life throws me a lot of curve balls, but ths is something that makes me happy, so I am in a way controlling my own happiness reguardless of whats going on around me. Weak spots are Coach, Shoes and ebay in general. Wal Mart is slowly creaping its way up the list. And I have found I try to get my husband to spend too so I feel less guilty. So, thats me in a nutshell. :)
I wanted to write a post so you guys didnt think I was just spying or something. I have just recently discovered that I have an online shopping problem. Mine started when I started taking Ambien for my insomnia. I would buy things on QVC and a few other favorite sites and then forget all about it until the packages showed up. Four years ago I had a similar problem where I racked up quite a bit of credit card debt, but was shopping to fill the void of not having children. Now, I think its more of a control thing. I havent put us back in debt (yet), but I am spending nearly everyday now on things we definatly do not need. My business is doing well, and the funds are there (for now), but I am blowing through the money faster and faster and really feel empty if I dont shop. I used to never buy for myself and always for my husband or family and now I always buy for myself. I justify it by telling myself that I work hard for it, so I deserve to have it. And, as I said before, its a control issue. My life throws me a lot of curve balls, but ths is something that makes me happy, so I am in a way controlling my own happiness reguardless of whats going on around me. Weak spots are Coach, Shoes and ebay in general. Wal Mart is slowly creaping its way up the list. And I have found I try to get my husband to spend too so I feel less guilty. So, thats me in a nutshell. :)
"Well I work hard"....this is a way addiction gets us hooked. When I worked as a substance abuse counselor one of the things another counselor used to say is "don't fear the addiction, but respect it" That is, the addiction is going to be there, you cna't ignore it, it done's go away, so you have to always be alert. When you find yourself saying "I work hard I deserve it" try to get your mind to something else. Perhaps a good thing to focus on then is "what do I need it for." or "If I don't have it how will my life be negatively affected"