Passion for fashion or obsession? The tale of shopping addiction

The sight of a lovely outfit, a chic bag or even the mere glimpse of a pair of high fashion shoes are enough to make many people forget the mundane and spend moments of pure bliss imagining themselves as the owners of these prized possessions. Such is the high of shopping!

However, sometimes a passion for shopping can turn into an obsession. Deep rooted feelings of insecurity, low self worth, depression, escapist tendencies or other psychological problems can all lead to shopping addiction. People addicted to shopping, either crave momentary highs (which shopping promises) or suffer from such low self esteem, that what they own starts defining their self-worth.

Since shopping is a normal activity, it’s not easy to catch the addiction. In fact, people who are addicted to shopping may not even realize it for years. The following are some tell-tale symptoms of shopping addiction:
• Turning to shopping when depressed or anxious
• Being unable to restrain oneself from buying something in spite of budgetary constraints
• Hiding purchases from friends and family
• Buying on credit instead of cash
• Strained personal relationships because of mounting debts and financial strain on the family’s budget

From a precarious financial situation, depression to even destruction of family life, addiction to shopping can destroy lives.
Group therapy, psychological counseling, support of family and friends and sometimes even medical help is needed to cure shopping addiction.