Healthe TRENDS | November 2008

TOOLS FOR CHANGE

The Personal Cost of
Compulsive Shopping

As the holiday season approaches, will your credit card bills begin to mount? For many people, shopping is a common pastime. But when does frequent shopping cross the line?

Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) affects about 18 million Americans. It occurs when people excessively buy things—often items they don’t need or can’t afford, including gifts for others.

How can you tell if you or someone else has CBD?

Answering yes to any of these questions may signal a problem:

  • Do you feel a constant and overwhelming urge to spend?
  • Is your shopping behavior excessive, uncontrolled, or overly time-consuming?
  • Do you get intensely excited when shopping, only to be upset or feel guilty afterward?
  • Has spending negatively affected your relationships, work, or finances?
There’s no specific treatment for CBD, but counseling might help. In addition:
  • Use only cash when shopping.
  • Don’t shop alone.
  • Explore other ways to spend free time.
To ensure a happier New Year, create a reasonable holiday budget and stick to it. Or, consider making some of your holiday gifts. Small, thoughtful, handmade gifts can bring great delight to friends and loved ones—and prevent post-holiday financial woes.