Shopping Addiction
Compulsive shopping is also known as Compulsive buying disorder (CBD), or oniomania. It is probably a form of impulse control disorder and is in essence an obsession with shopping and buying that has the core features of other addictions and causes adverse consequences in virtually all areas of an individual's life.
As with any addiction the overriding issue is whether the behaviour persist or even increases despite the mounting consequences, whether financial or personal. Shopping addicts have difficulty controlling their spending, experience a sense of euphoria while shopping, including online and may become defensive when those close to them express concern over the amount of time/money they spend shopping. Despite the fact that persistent buying causes problems in many areas of their lives (relationships with family and friends, social and financial problems), the individual has difficult resisting their impulses and continue the behaviour irrespective of the negative consequences.
If you think you are suffering from a shopping addiction, please get in touch to arrange an assessment.