Shopping Addiction (Oniomania)

How we treat shopping addiction?

Shopping addiction (oniomania) goes far beyond simple consumerism, often driven by an uncontrollable urge to buy things as a way of managing emotional distress and to feel a sense of satisfaction. If you are worried about your spending habits, you are not alone and we can help you.

We will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your unique needs, giving you the tools and support to break free from the cycle of addiction and move towards a completely different relationship to spending money.

How does someone become addicted to shopping?

Oniomania occurs when a person feels an uncontrollable urge to shop (i.e. spend money). It can lead to financial problems, shame, damaged relationships and high-stress levels. It is just as damaging to the individual’s life as a gambling or alcohol dependency. However, advertisements perpetually tell us that if we buy this object, we will be happy. As such, a shopping dependency can be much harder to spot than other addictions. Many people who suffer from shopping addiction also experience co-occurring mental health conditions.

For someone struggling with oniomania, spending money often becomes a coping mechanism for managing difficult emotions like anger, self-critical thoughts, boredom, or loneliness. Because of this connection with painful emotions we don’t know how to manage, we often find ourselves trapped in a cycle where the remorse we feel for how much we spent is as addictive as the rush of shopping itself.

In our experience, a shopping addiction is almost always linked to other disorders and issues. For the most part, oniomania is rooted in ADHD (particularly impulse control issues), anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

In some cases, when people feel immense guilt after their purchasing binge, oniomania can also function as a kind of symbolic self-harm practice. In these instances, it could signal an underlying major depressive disorder

Through our combination of medical, psychological and personal care, we are proud to be the only clinic in the world that addresses co-occurring conditions and every possible root-cause of a shopping addiction. In so doing, we can help you address the underlying causes and recalibrate your relationship with spending money in a matter of weeks, rather than years or months.

What are the signs?

Symptoms of shopping addiction include:

• Becoming preoccupied with shopping, constantly planning when and how to shop, and fantasising about purchases.
• Feeling an urge to continually buy more expensive or unnecessary items to experience a sense of pleasure or relief.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, or restlessness when trying to stop shopping.
• Shopping to escape difficult emotions such as guilt, anxiety, or stress.
• Hiding the extent of your shopping habits from loved ones or downplaying the impact on your life.

If you saw yourself in any of those signs, ask yourself:

• Do you find yourself checking online stores or browsing for items first thing in the morning and before going to bed?
• Do arguments or frustrations spark an urge to shop?
• Do you sometimes make purchases based on an impulse or a desire to experience a temporary high?
• Do you continue shopping despite financial strain or feeling you have enough?
• Do you struggle to identify your emotions when you’re shopping, or feel detached from other areas of your life?
• Do you conceal your purchases from your partner or family?
• Despite feelings of guilt, regret, or shame, do you feel compelled to shop, almost as though you’re unable to control it?

If you answered yes to any of these, you may be developing a shopping dependency, and it is essential to seek professional help as soon as possible. We can help guide you toward recovery.