If you constantly add new items to your online shopping cart or buy things you don’t need, you’re not alone. Compulsive shopping can be a common problem.
As Susan Albers, PsyD psychologist, explains, mental health has a lot to do with it.
“Compulsive shopping goes hand in hand with emotions and mental health. It’s often a way of coping with stress, anxiety, and depression,” said Dr. Albers. “Spending is one way that we can fill the emotional void, escape from negative emotions and give us a temporary boost of feeling pleasure in our life.”
Dr. Albers said when you buy something, the neurotransmitter dopamine is released into your brain, making you feel good.
The enjoyment you get is from the experience, not so much the item.
She said you can help reduce compulsive shopping through simple behavior modification, like pausing before a purchase.
Ask yourself if you really need this item. How will it add value to your life? You should also focus on how you’re feeling.
Are you buying something to escape negative emotions? Other tips include deleting shopping apps on your phone and setting a budget.
“The difference between compulsive spending and healthy purchases is intention and consequences. With healthy shopping, we purchase in a calm and planned manner of the things that we need,” said Dr. Albers. “Compulsive shopping, in contrast, is done with a sense of urgency. There is an emotional trigger, and it often results in emotional or financial distress.”
She said that feeling guilty after buying something is a tell-tale sign that you are engaging in compulsive shopping.
She recommends taking a step back and reflecting on the decision. You may also want to consider speaking to a mental health professional about it.