Addictive pastime that can destroy your life

04 September 2008 - 02:00
By unknown

From hitting the mall with your girlfriend on weekends to buying gifts on holidays and just buying for the sake of buying, shopping could be called one of the favourite pastimes.

From hitting the mall with your girlfriend on weekends to buying gifts on holidays and just buying for the sake of buying, shopping could be called one of the favourite pastimes.

For most of us shopping simply means getting some new clothes or a small gift for a friend.

But for others shopping is much more than an enjoyable pastime. It is a real and destructive addiction that can turn into a financial disaster.

Compulsive shopping and spending are excessive and out of control.

Like other addictions, it basically has to do with impulsiveness and a lack of control over one's impulses.

Shopping addiction can destroy a person's life, family and finances.

The consequences of a shopping addiction are obvious: high levels of debt, shame and fear of discovery.

People who shop until they drop believe that it will make them feel better.

Shopaholics usually have racks of clothes with the price tags still on them.

They go to malls with the intention of buying one item but end up with things they do not need.

They end up hiding their purchases from their families.

People with the addiction also have impaired relationships since they spend more and more time out shopping.

If you believe you are addicted to shopping, it is recommended that you seek professional help as in the case of other addictions such as alcohol, gambling and drugs.

You can avoid binge buying by always making purchases with cash, a debit card and never with a credit card.