7 tips to overcome a shopping addiction

Shopping addiction is a disorder that occurs exclusively in Western society. Our way of life, based on constant consumerism and lifestyle patterns that make us believe that if we don't own, we are not happy, has a lot to do with the formation of this disorder that, if not treated, can become a problem for the person who suffers from it. suffer.

Next, we propose a series of tips that you can apply to your life to combat and overcome shopping addiction.

Compulsive shopping addiction: what it is and how it is treated

This disorder is based on uncontrollable desires to buy things that, in general, are not necessary for the life of the person: jewelry, brand clothing, non-basic appliances, plugins etc The affected person feels unable to control these impulses, since they generate pleasure and momentarily decrease anxiety and discomfort. This short-term "reward" makes the compulsions repetitive.

Although the disorder is known as "addiction", psychologists do not classify it as an addiction. "Addictive" shopping is linked to impulse control disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. These types of disorders follow the same pattern: first, the person affected

performs the compulsion to relieve tension and anxiety. Then, after the compulsion is done, he feels a momentary relief, which wears off after a while. Then the anxiety symptoms prior to the compulsive act may reappear, leading the person to repeat it over and over again.

It is quite common for these people to have feelings of guilt after performing the compulsion, which reinforces anxiety and establishes a vicious circle that is very harmful to the life of the person. affected person. She feels that she has no control over her actions, which lowers her self-concept and can greatly affect her self-esteem.

• Related article: "How does an addiction affect the brain?"

Tips to overcome shopping addiction

The tips that we offer you below to overcome the addiction to shopping should be done in combination with a therapeutic process and as long as they are compatible with the treatment, not on their own own.

1. shopping lists help

Setting specific goals to buy is a great help when it comes to avoiding disorderly purchases. So, before leaving home, make sure you take a list of the absolutely necessary items you need to buy with you, and try to stick to them as much as possible.

2. Moderate contact with social networks

Social networks are a great showcase where people expose their lives, including what they buy. That is why they are a "dangerous" element in the event that you have a compulsion to buy.

Besides, companies that sell through the internet have more and more resources to know our tastes, so a simple "click" on a page can give many clues about what we want. For a person with a shopping addiction, this can be highly harmful, since it represents a continuous temptation. Try to limit, therefore, the hours you spend connected to the network.

• You may be interested in: "The 8 signs of Internet addiction"

3. Choose "nearest" stores

By "close" we mean typical neighborhood stores, which use much less aggressive marketing when offering their products. In the event that you go to a shopping center, for example, it will be much more difficult for you to resist, since these types of establishments are a constant call to consumerism. If you suffer from a shopping addiction, we recommend that you avoid these types of centers, as well as large shopping avenues.

4. Do not go shopping without having eaten before; not even if you feel very sad

If you go shopping with a feeling of hunger, you will be more susceptible to compulsive buying. At least, this is shown by several studies, so it is better that you go to the stores after the main meals of the day.

Another of the worst times to go to a store is when we feel sad or overwhelmed. In these circumstances, we are much more vulnerable to falling into the compulsion, so avoid going shopping at times of emotional "down".

• Related article: "The 8 types of sadness: characteristics, possible causes and symptoms"

5. Try to lead as healthy a life as possible

Like any other compulsive disorder, shopping addiction is related to high levels of stress and anxiety. Try to live a healthy life: eat healthy and nutritious food, follow regular eating and sleeping schedules, and get enough sleep to give your body and mind the rest it needs.

Sport is also a very good resource to lower anxiety levels. The release of endorphins during intense sports helps relax your muscles and cancel out negative emotions. Relaxation techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing or exercises such as yoga and meditation, can also help you a lot.

6. Talk to others about your disorder

It has been shown that keeping things to oneself has harmful effects on our mental health. The human being needs to express what hurts and worries him; Of course, try to make it with the right people. Not all the people around you are capable of understanding what you feel, so talk to people with whom you have real trust and with whom you feel comfortable to express yourself

Of course, this is not required and you have every right to keep it to yourself and your therapist. However, sharing your experience with people close to you can help you feel supported and loved, a very beneficial experience for your therapeutic process.

7. Don't beat yourself up if you fall back into compulsion

Remember that, in the event that you fall into the purchase of an unnecessary object, you should not focus on blaming yourself for what happened and treating yourself as if you were a person you despise. Addictions cannot be faced as a sign of "weakness" in moral terms, nor lack of willpower; if they are a problem, it is precisely because they close us in on ourselves and expose us to situations in which we lose control; That is why it is important to go to therapy and have professional help. It is clear that you have to try by all means to avoid relapse, but if it happens, it is more important to learn from mistakes than to martyr ourselves.

Little by little, and with the help of your therapist, you will be able to reduce the compulsions, which will strengthen your self-esteem and help you with the therapeutic process.

Do you want to start a therapy process for addiction?

If you want to overcome a shopping addiction or any other disorder linked to dependence on certain actions, contact us.

In RECAL Clinic we specialize in the treatment of addictive disorders.