When should I get help for a shopping addiction?
If you feel that you cannot stop shopping when you want to, you've gotten yourself into debt from shopping, or if you're being secretive about how much you spend, it's time to seek out help. If shopping has resulted in relationship issues or interference with your work or home life, it may be time for professional guidance. If shopping has become a primary coping mechanism for emotional distress, you will need to address that as well, as a therapist can work with the urges and the emotions and a financial counselor can assist with the spending and the debts. But don't wait until you are in crisis to seek assistance.
When it may be time to get help
If you've tried to quit shopping and couldn't, or if you continue to shop despite knowing it's hurting you, it might be time to get some help. If you're unable to pay your bills, or your debts are mounting, or you are hiding purchases from others, or there are repeated fights, excessive clutter, absences from work, or other obligations you aren't fulfilling, then assistance may be in order. If you feel overwhelming guilt after making a purchase, you might also need help.
Some people find that shopping is linked to depression, anxiety, loneliness, trauma or anger, or perhaps even periods of unusually high energy. If this is the case, working on the root cause can help you make changes to your shopping habits.
Where to begin
If you think you might need more support to cope with your shopping urges, a licensed mental health professional can help you determine your triggers, challenge the thoughts that drive your purchases, and develop alternative ways of coping with your emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly utilized for habits that involve urges and avoidance, but the most appropriate approach will vary based on your circumstances.
A financial counselor can help you create a list of your debts, prioritize your payments, talk with creditors as needed, and create a budget that you will stick to. These are two separate kinds of assistance and you might be able to benefit from working with both of them. If you're worried about the cost, find a nonprofit organization or a counselor who will clearly explain his or her fees.
Try to have some notion before your visit of where your money is going and make a note of when the urge to shop strikes. Your records don't need to be perfect. Be truthful about secret buys, returns, borrowing and the emotions you feel before and after shopping. This person is here to help you, not judge you.
Contact a healthcare provider immediately if your spending occurs with significantly less sleep than usual, extreme levels of energy, racing thoughts or impulsive risk-taking behaviors, as these symptoms may have multiple potential explanations. If you are in imminent danger or considering suicide, contact your local emergency services or a crisis center.