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 a Shopaholic. Lately it has been out of control. I have nothing saved in my bank account and a large credit card debt. I am in overdraft and maxed my credit line. I even called the bank to see if I could get hold of my RRSPs. My husband is going to pay my debts and take my cards away from me. I am really going to try but I get really depressed if I can't shop. I hope someone else has this problem.
Pay attention to your mood and what is going on in your personal life when you have a strong desire to shop. You might even want to keep a little journal for a while to help you figure it out. I noticed that I have a strong urge to shop when I am feeling stressed about personal relationships. Tonight I felt shut out by my daughter, who is getting ready to leave for college. How did I immediately want to soothe my feelings? By looking at my favorite internet shopping sites. I probably would have gone ahead and ordered something, but fortunately my husband saw what I was doing so there was accountability there. That brings me to the next tip I can share: have a support system in place that understands what you are trying to do and keeps you accountable. Maybe it is your husband as well? Discuss your problem and set some reasonable short-term goals. I am working on a 30-day detox from shopping right now. It's definitely one day at a time as I move through this journey. Obviously you will need to shop for basics and you will continue to find yourself in situations that may allow you to break promises to yourself. You may want to consider taking someone with you when you shop and have someone review your bank statements too. Try to remember that every time your resist buying something, you are giving yourself a gift for your future security. I hope this helps!