For me one of my biggest triggers is depression. When I feel depressed I want to shop so much just to make it go away. It's like the high one gets from drug use, that shopping (at the time) makes me feel so good. Unfortuently like a drug user, when I come down from the high I see what i've done, the problems it caused and the depression is back , usually worse.

As of today I have 36 days clean and I believe a lot of it is working the steps of coruse, but also dealing with teh depression, not necessairily stopping it, there's still days it gets bad, but I"m learning coping skills.

I am bipolar, so for me it is a trigger from both Mania and Depression. I use the excuse that I am buying for others. As of right now, I am not clean in the least. I am trying to find a way to stop, but if I am out to even pick up grocceries, I spend more than I should. A budget, taking away debit cards, nothing works.

A lot of things can trigger my addiction. If I'm feeling like I want to treat myself, feeling sad or lonely I shop to make myself feel better. A "special occasion" can also trigger me. If I have to wear all black to work I'll say that I need some new pretty black outfits. If I have a date with my boyfriend I'll say I need a new shirt. After shopping I feel guilty and I start feeling like maybe I should return some of the things that I bought. But the thought of doing that makes me feel even more ashamed so I just ignore my guilt. I know my shopping gets out of control because I work part time 15 hours a week and pay no bills yet there have been times that I had less than $20 in my account and couldn't afford to go to the movies with friends. Sorry if I got a little off topic but it feels so good to vent!

Thank to all who have responded. I am not Bi Polar but I can see where that could make you go off on binges. I can relate to everything else said. I am a shopaholic too but more in control now than I ever have been.
I noticed a pattern that I could not buy just one item if i liked it... it would be 2 and sometimes 3. LIke I thought if it broke or got lost I needed one to replace it??? I guess.
I also know that I have some OCD tendencies that I have to have my house in order and perfect by my standards. I can state here... where I am at right now in my recovery you would laugh reading that statement if you could see my house! I am not wanting to shop.... and my house is a wreck. So to me there is something to the OCD thing.

Yes buying groceries is the worst. How do we stop shopping when we have to shop to have food, clothing, necessities? It is crazy and I found I would have to walk looking down at the floor the whole time I rolled my buggy to get to the aisle I needed to get something from. It worked but i bet I look like a lunatic to the Walmart Secret shoppers or whatever you call their floor security. :)

Feeling depressed, or someone was cross with me coudl send me off to the store to try and treat myself.
Girls I am right there with you. I could tell you some sad stories....
NO worry about venting. that is what this site is here for and each other are for. Would love to keep up the chatter and get more insights.
I am in the process of making a blog.... Hoping to form a support group in my area. We shall see. It may end up being online.
Peace,
Sherian

Its second nature for me to do so. I get really huge cravings to shop when I feel alone. As in, I dont have anyone to talk to. So I go out, Drive around, curate items, buy whatever appeals to me. It use to be spending between 10-20 dollars but recently rose to 100-300 range.

My depression and lack of self worth.

After NOT SHOPPING for over a month... I broke down last week & bought THREE pair of shoes... on line... what triggered me? My favorite pair of sandals literally FELL APART on me. Dry rotted. I swore to myself that I would only buy ONE pair to make up for that pair I had to throw away... but I went overboard. OF COURSE.

Damn.

Depression yes,boredom also.
HALT-Hungry,Angry,Lonly,Tired
Applies to many addictions.

Stress! I am my husband's caregiver. We have been married for 42 years. He had a brain hemorrhage 10 years ago. I love him deeply, but some things are a challenge.
Shopping is my way of relieving stress. I am currently seeing a psychologist for a number of issues other than the shopping. I am hoping to get some help by connecting with people who also have this problem. Thanks!

My triggers are:
1. Boredom at work (the joys of online shopping...)
2. Stress
I'm currently in the process of giving up shopping for Lent (I work in a Catholic school) and we're up to Day 8. It's hard hard hard! I've been pretty good - one dress, one lip gloss, couple of magazines - better than usual, but not perfect. This website is great - it actually helps reduce the super-strong desire to pop down the road to the shops in my lunch break, or to check out Trademe (NZ version of ebay).

What triggers my shopping? My biggest triggers are depression over work and the constant struggle about money or the lack of. I am seeing a therapist and trying different techniques. I have many "good" days but am constantly battling the urge to buy. My biggest high is shoes. I seems to connect what people think of me to how I am dressed. This mountain seems to grow every day and the struggle is making me so tired.

I am terrible with money. Even writing this is making me anxious thinking about how bad I am!! I feel really stupid and guilty and I believe also it's when you're bored, lack of self worth, trying to make yourself better with material things.

I really wish I could stop shopping and spending my money away! Even though in a way, I work a hell of a lot so I think I owe it to myself to do these things but it feels like I wittle most of it away just on the thrill of buying myself things!

I love buying commodoties and when I have something like a date with my boyfriend or a photoshoot I go and get my hair done, eyebrows threaded, new makeup a new top all sorts!!! It's really bad :(

I guess buying new clothes and stuff gives u that temporary high of feeling good about yourself.

What triggers my shopping binges? The fact that I am depressed often and very alone in life and since about the age of 12 felt like the ugliest person on Earth, full of external ugliness that actually hurt people when they saw it..so now I spend on 'beauty' products, and stuff to ingest that might make me look like I actually have a pulse..it started out as a sort of fantacism of self-improvement and turned into a habit that's sinking me and I have been indebt for a year+...plus I don't relate to humanity in general..I'd be happy to be a cat (they are naturally cute).

For me at the moment, its being in a loveless marriage, I feel depressed, rejected and unwanted, and still trying to cope with my elderly mothers death in february this year. I know I shouldnt do it as I cant afford to do it but I get on online sites and buy stuff that I dont need ( mainly clothes) and then end up feeling worse because ive spent the money, its a major problem this shopping addiction.

When I'm feeling unsuccessful or like I haven't achieved anything. Shopping gives me the feeling that I have achieved something like yes I've improved my self, I did something today!

Even when I realize what I'm doing I can't help it. It won't leave my mind and the internet will always be there to satisfy with online stores.