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Shopping Addiction or Internet Shopping Disorder can be defined as compulsive, episodic purchasing of goods. Like many other problem behaviors, Shopping Addiction can easily be amplified and escalated online. Not long ago, compulsive shopping was more under control and more easily self-regulated due to time-limiting store hours and the shear difficulty of going and returning plus dealing with all of the shopping bags and packages.
Today, those obstacles are gone. Now, technology provides willing buyers with around the clock buying and a wider variety of products to buy. Plus the added convenience of same day “free shipping.”
Compulsive Shopping Form of OCD
Compulsive shopping is also a form of disorder known as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The internet and smartphones can easily seduce the compulsive shopper with endless pop-up sales, coupons, hypnotic advertising and thousands of images of products to buy that are particularly tailored to the products for which they are searching.
Poor Impulse Control
In America, shopping is a major part of our culture and has been embedded in our subconscious. Other psychological explanations for compulsive shopping can be attributed to the need to “feel” special or less lonely. People who suffer from low self-esteem are searching for self and identity or stability found in purchasing objects that are recognized as a status symbol. Many unknowingly suffer from associated disorders such as anxiety, depression and poor impulse control, or just fear of leaving their home. This makes online shopping their psychological “fix.” In many ways, online shopping offers an excitement not found in traditional retail store or mall shopping. Many websites display the remaining time left before the offer or sale will end. Some sites even go so far as to display how many seconds are left so that the buyer doesn’t miss out on making the purchase. If you need more reminders, the website can direct “alerts” to your email or smartphone. Online auction sites offer another level of excitement to your shopping experience including competition against other online buyers, raising the shopping experience to nearly euphoric levels of online gambling. Winning an online auction produces a sense of accomplishment that often pushes the bidder to bid on more items that aren’t really needed just to experience the rush of winning.
Form of Addiction
Online shopping is a form of addiction is strongly encouraged by our consumer culture. It is not dissimilar to drug addiction and often a more difficult habit to break. The reality that the addiction even exists does not appear before credit card balances have to be juggled and even second mortgages need to be taken out. Is it any wonder why there are so many companies offering debt consolidation and credit repair?
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
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