It Was Such a Bargain: Help for Compulsive Shoppers

Shopping is one of America's favorite pastimes, but "shop 'til you drop" is more than just a phrase to a compulsive shopper. Like other addictive personalities, compulsive or obsessive shoppers indulge their passion even as it destroys their closest relationships and sends them into a financial tailspin.

Recent studies suggest that compulsive shopping is a growing problem because of easier access to credit cards at younger ages, the convenience of e-commerce, and the availability of television shopping channels. You don't even have to leave your house to spend a small fortune.

Who is the compulsive shopper?

Between 2% and 8% of adults in the U.S. are compulsive shoppers, according to Dr. Donald Black, a psychiatrist and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. Of those, 80% to 90% are female. Studies show that females still make the majority of family purchases, and that shopping is considered a socially accepted female practice--you know, "retail therapy."

Women who are compulsive shoppers generally purchase clothes, shoes, and kitchen items. The small percentage of men who compulsively shop tend to splurge on computers, electronics, power tools, and even investments. (Male spenders more often tend to be compulsive gamblers.)

Average shopping debt is about $25,000, according to Black.

"It grows insidiously, but at a certain point it becomes a problem--usually around age 20," Black says. "By the time people seek help or are seen by a psychiatrist, they're probably between age 35 and 40. By that time they've been compulsively shopping for 20 years."

Black says most women he's talked to who have this disorder say they've always been interested in shopping and fashion--they went shopping with their mothers.

Compulsive shoppers often suffer from other psychiatric disorders as well, such as depression, an anxiety disorder, or an eating disorder. In his research, Black has found that two-thirds of compulsive shoppers have a history of current or past depression, though at the time he sees most patients they're not depressed. He observes that most compulsive shoppers do not seek psychiatric care--they view it as a financial problem instead.

How do you identify a compulsive shopping habit?

It's arbitrary, Black says. There's no dividing line between an ordinary shopper and a compulsive shopper, but the compulsive shopper is getting into trouble. When that person is personally distressed, spending too much money, and when the shopping is interfering with work or family life … that's when it crosses the line into compulsive shopping. "It's how impaired someone is because of the results of the excessive shopping and spending behavior," Black says.

The compulsive shopping addiction does not discriminate. It affects people from all backgrounds and all socioeconomic groups.

Money not the culprit

"Money is not the issue and income level is not the issue," Black says. "I've had poor patients with no money who go to garage sales and hardly spend anything. Their finances aren't impacted, but they're spending every free minute doing this."

On the other hand, someone could be a multimillionaire and have plenty of money to spend. This person isn't getting into trouble financially, but maybe she's spending so much time shopping that she's ignoring her children. The behavior will not always lead to a financial problem--it depends on the individual.

Ann, an upper middle-class housewife, spent numerous hours frequenting second-hand stores checking "if anything new had come in." She was constantly looking for that special item that would make a set complete or that she thought would add to her wardrobe or d�cor.

After years of accumulation, Ann's house was cluttered with her "bargain" purchases. Rented storage units were so packed that, when she needed an item, she couldn't find it. Garments with tags still on them lined her several closets.

Because Ann shopped at thrift stores and only purchased "sale" items at other stores, she thought that justified her spending. But bargain shopping added up fast--so fast that Ann soon was rushing home to get the mail before her husband could so he wouldn't see her credit card statements.

Shopping addiction is sometimes referred to as green addiction or credit card addiction, according to Professor Ruth C. Engs, department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington.

Many compulsive shoppers believe that if they shop they'll feel better, but often, it makes them feel worse. It's similar to other addictive behaviors and has some of the same characteristics as problem drinking (alcoholism), gambling, and overeating.

"When they're feeling out of sorts, they shop for a pick-me-up," Engs says. "They go out and buy to get a high, or get a 'rush' just like a drug or alcohol addict."

Julie, who has suffered from bipolar disorder for more than 20 years, often shops when she's feeling "up," running up thousands of dollars in bills on items that aren't always small purchases--such as vehicles and furniture.

Holiday seasons can trigger shopping binges among those who are not compulsive the rest of the year. But many addicts go on binges all year long and may be compulsive about buying certain items such as shoes, clothing, or kitchen items--some will buy anything.

According to Engs, women with this compulsive disorder often have racks of clothes and possessions with price tags still attached that never have been used. They go to a shopping mall with the intention of buying one or two items and come home with bags and bags of purchases. In some cases addicts have an emotional "black out" and do not even remember buying the items.

Iowa University's Black treated one woman who frequently would see a blouse or pants she liked on her daily shopping trips and would end up buying one in every color. It wasn't because she planned to wear these clothes--she just got a "high" from the buying.

If you're concerned that you may have a shopping addiction, seek professional counseling or a support group. Credit counseling agencies also can help with shopping addiction. Your credit union can help lead you in the right direction.

July 21, 2003