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.
I am new to this group. I joined tonight because I am worried I might have this problem but at the same time I'm not quite sure. I don't seem to have it to the extent of most of the group members. I don't make big purchaes and I am not in any kind of major debt...other than college loans..did you all start out slow?
Quick background: I have been living at home for the last 5 years to help my father care for my mother who is suffering from brain cancer. Needless to say there has been a lot of stress in my life and family for a variety of reasons.
I am worried I am shopping to much do deal with stress. I have always loved shopping...always loved the thrill of the hunt for a good bargin. It has never resulted in any serious problems...with the exception with a few small credit card debts in college...but that was more me just being lazy and stupid about paying bills. I don't use credit cards now...I use a check card so I won't have bills and interest. However, I am still worried about it turning into a bigger problem.
Lately, I have found that whenever I actually have some free time to myself, I want to go buy things...and let me tell you, I find the best reasons to talk myself into why I need something. So good that I convince myself I do and that I don't have any kind of problem.
This weekend I talked myself into buying a new leather jacket while I was suppose to be xmas shopping. I told myself it was a good deal ($200 on sale for &75 plus I had a $10 gift card) and that I needed a new one. (Mine was about 7 years old and I hadn't been wearing it because the leather was starting to peel off in some places). I also told myself that I deserved it because I had been making extra money babysitting outside of work and that I was going to be getting money to do my own shopping for xmas from my father.
Maybe this wouldn't have been that bad but then I went on to buy a sweater, a shirt, some earrings, pj pants, and some perfume. I still did some xmas shopping to..I just shopped for myself as well.
Like I said I have always been a big shopper but I have been pretty good with keeping it in check ...but now I am trying to get xmas shopping done and I just keep buying myself stuff...nothing to costly usually but it does add up. Not to mention that I always see things I just need to buy for people for xmas...again nothing to big..because i love bargins...but still it adds up. SO am I right in being worried or am I just obsessing?
Quick background: I have been living at home for the last 5 years to help my father care for my mother who is suffering from brain cancer. Needless to say there has been a lot of stress in my life and family for a variety of reasons.
I am worried I am shopping to much do deal with stress. I have always loved shopping...always loved the thrill of the hunt for a good bargin. It has never resulted in any serious problems...with the exception with a few small credit card debts in college...but that was more me just being lazy and stupid about paying bills. I don't use credit cards now...I use a check card so I won't have bills and interest. However, I am still worried about it turning into a bigger problem.
Lately, I have found that whenever I actually have some free time to myself, I want to go buy things...and let me tell you, I find the best reasons to talk myself into why I need something. So good that I convince myself I do and that I don't have any kind of problem.
This weekend I talked myself into buying a new leather jacket while I was suppose to be xmas shopping. I told myself it was a good deal ($200 on sale for &75 plus I had a $10 gift card) and that I needed a new one. (Mine was about 7 years old and I hadn't been wearing it because the leather was starting to peel off in some places). I also told myself that I deserved it because I had been making extra money babysitting outside of work and that I was going to be getting money to do my own shopping for xmas from my father.
Maybe this wouldn't have been that bad but then I went on to buy a sweater, a shirt, some earrings, pj pants, and some perfume. I still did some xmas shopping to..I just shopped for myself as well.
Like I said I have always been a big shopper but I have been pretty good with keeping it in check ...but now I am trying to get xmas shopping done and I just keep buying myself stuff...nothing to costly usually but it does add up. Not to mention that I always see things I just need to buy for people for xmas...again nothing to big..because i love bargins...but still it adds up. SO am I right in being worried or am I just obsessing?
Seeing it now is very good. Start to look for triggers. Certain times in your week month whatever when the urge is stronger. See if you can find out what is causing it. If you can reconize that you have a better chance of controlling it.
Instead of telling yourself all the reasons you deserve to reward yourself. Trying the same tatic at telling yourself all the reasons you need to hold off on that purchase. Take your time in stores and try to consider everything you purchase.
Sounds great doesn't it? All to easy to say.. but i am work in progress with it :)
Good Luck!!