Signs you're addicted to shopping and what you can do about it

We've all found ourselves getting a bit carried away when filling up our online shopping basket from time to time, or lobbing a few extra bits into our trolley while convincing ourselves we've earned a little treat. But when shopping spirals out of control, it can become a catastrophic issue that impacts far more than just our finances.

Dr Catherine Carney, a psychiatrist and addiction specialist at rehabilitation clinic Delamere, describes shopping addiction as a "process or behavioural" addiction.

"So it's not substance related, but it's a form of addiction that involves compulsive engagement in behaviours, even when it's causing harm in your life. It is repeated actions or habits that, for some reason, for different people, give a psychological reward," she explains.

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Other behavioural addictions encompass gambling and excessive pornography consumption, with shopping increasingly recognised as a behavioural disorder, she reveals.

"With any behavioural addiction – and it's the same with shopping – it's about the loss of control over the behaviour and continuing to do it in spite of negative consequences," she observes.

"In the past you would refer to people as 'shopaholics' in quite an affectionate, humorous way, but it can actually cause massive fall out."

Concerned about your own shopping habits or those of a loved one? Dr Carney reveals warning signs that indicate there's a problem, including:.

"Financial issues or debt."

Question your spending habits: Are you living beyond your means?

If you're struggling to keep up with mortgage, rent or bills due to splurging on non-essentials, buying things you can't afford, taking out loans for retail therapy, or drowning in debt, it might suggest a shopping dependency. "You're spending an excessive amount of time thinking about or going shopping."

Should the thought of hitting the shops be ever-present, intruding on your work, family time or socialising, it's a potential red flag. Neglecting or disappointing loved ones for the sake of shopping or online browsing indicates an issue, and feeling "Irritability when you can't do it," is a symptom to heed, according to Carney.

"You hide your purchases."

Stashing away new acquisitions to avoid detection by your partner, or to deny your own overspending, is a clear warning sign. Being confronted about your shopping and reacting defensively or with annoyance is another tell-tale indicator, Carney points out.

"You might get a euphoric high after shopping."

Do you get a buzz from hitting the 'buy now' button? "Similar to other addictions, making a purchase can release endorphins [like the feel-good hormone] dopamine in the brain," Carney reveals. "So you get a momentary pleasure, a rush, similar to if you were running a long [distance] run or taking drugs." However, this is often followed by a wave of "guilt or remorse after shopping".

"You might shop impulsively."

Ever find yourself splurging spontaneously? "People might shop very impulsively and go and buy things they weren't intending to," Carney explains.

"You're using shopping to manage deeper underlying issues."

Carney notes that shopping can be a coping mechanism for "Whether it's anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, low self-image, boredom, or some people have underlying trauma, which one person might use drugs to manage or distract from, somebody else might use shopping."

She also mentions that "quite often, shopping addiction can go hand in hand with other addictions". For example, someone may seek help for an excessive cocaine habit, "and it's only once they've been in treatment for a while, the cocaine has been taken away and they start using something else to manage those emotions. Parcels start arriving and excessive amounts of deliveries.

"You feel isolated."

In severe cases, Carney points out, individuals may become "quite isolated" due to their compulsive buying behaviours.

How to manage a shopping addiction

"The first step is acknowledging this behaviour is becoming problematic for whatever reason," explains Carney. From there, you can pursue professional support and begin implementing changes.

Carney suggests it's beneficial "to create and stick to a budget. Look at alternatives to going shopping, whether it's exercise or going out and building a social support system."

She advocates trying mindfulness and exploring stress-reduction methods if there are deeper issues at play. "Sometimes people do have underlying anxiety and depression, so in some cases, medication can be helpful. Go to your GP or a psychiatrist to diagnose underlying mental health problems."

She observes that frequently, individuals with bipolar disorder experiencing manic episodes may splurge excessively during these phases. "There are therapists and psychologists who specialise in behavioural addictions and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) can be really effective," she continues.

Additionally, there are numerous online support networks and communities like Debtors Anonymous available to join for extra assistance. For monetary guidance, alongside budgeting support, organisations including StepChange, Citizens Advice and Turn2Us offer complimentary advice.