Treatment for Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction

This section of the topic explains about the treatment for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, risk factors and complications in compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.

• The cause of compulsive shopping or shopping addiction is yet unknown even evidences indicate that the addictive behavior makes a person’s life worse. So far, no standard treatments are available for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, and current treatments need sophisticated approaches.
• For example, antidepressants may be prescribed to people suffering from compulsive shopping or shopping addiction along with clinical depression.

On the other hand, therapy involves addressing behaviors those are not adaptive and perceptive in processes. Supporting groups in addition to credit counseling is also used for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.

Compulsive shopping or shopping addiction is not a sudden illness, rather it is a lifelong issue that pesters the patient’s priorities; however, compulsive shopping or shopping addiction can be managed and treated effectively.

If you think you are suffering from compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, or if you know someone who is going through compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, you ought to know, the key to get a successful treatment is always the detection of the troubled behavior, followed by a help in treating compulsive shopping or shopping addiction. If you get yourself at a deficit for available options and if you are unable to start, you are not the only one.

1. Therapy Treatment for Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction

   Therapies for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction victims do exist. Unlike the situation with a chemical dependency, the shopping addict should not commence treatment with thoroughly supervised detoxification period unless the other addictions are also present. The treatment begins with a period of modification of behavior by means of one or other way of therapy.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Treating Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction

   Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for treating compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, these programs are of the superb standard in modifying behavior. This therapy consists of one patient engaging with a therapist in a format based on sessions at regular intervals, say weekly. CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is especially prominent for its approach to therapy i.e. noninvasive as well as non-drug based, which allows the patient to go with exercising control over treatment.

2. Group Therapy for Treating Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction

   Some other methods are also available like group therapy for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction. At times, the underlying structure of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is modified in order to let multiple patients to take part in a group processing with one or more therapists. It has been a popular approach to treat addiction in particular, and has the advantage of bolstering the patients to stop thinking that they are the ones who suffer a particular addiction. The derogatory experience in feelings of shame and guilt greatly eases the way heading to remission.

2. Medicines for Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction

   Your doctor can prescribe you some sort of medications during your treatment for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction. There is nothing like a magical stick or a pill to cure compulsive shopping or shopping addiction. You will get treatment in a psychological way to withdraw the addictive behavior from you. Some tranquilizers or sedatives may be minor or major, prescribed to enhance relaxation during the day or to aid while sleeping. Here are some commonly used minor tranquilizers:

   • Valium
   • Xanax
   • Serax
   • Ativan
   • Klonopin

   Besides, your doctor may find it worth advising to prescribe medications in order to help you with the ascent task of managing issues or disorders like depression, psychosis or some other common side effects of withdrawal. As always, it is of great significance to be open and honest with your doctor about the problem. Carry on with the only medications that are prescribed by doctor for managing compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, and ensure to take them exactly as there in instructions.

3. Self-help Groups for Treating Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction

   Self-help and supporting groups play helpful for people with compulsive shopping or shopping addiction and for dealing with all the issues it can cause. A 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) models many such groups especially for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction. Besides helping you make changes directly, these groups for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction help you:

   • Learn more about your compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.
   • Find a good support and comprehending of your compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.
   • Search out some other options and resources for additional treatment for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.

   These groups may have local in-person meetings or may be internet based, or both. If you find yourself interested in such a group, look for the one that attains a good reputation and makes you feel fully comfortable. Such groups may not suit everyone’s taste, so better discuss with your mental health provider for alternatives.

Though addiction does not discriminate, some differences appear in the way of certain types. In case of compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, most of the people who suffer from this disorder, compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, are women. Gender is a risk factor for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.

Women are more prone to compulsive shopping or shopping addiction. According to a study it is indicated that as many as 95 percent of compulsive buyers are women only. One reason for this variation could be in the semantics of the discovery process. As a group, women are more willing to admit that they love shopping and to do shopping. On the other hand, men are more likely to exemplify themselves as “collectors”. Some experts think and believe that based upon this particular distinction, men are highly under represented.

Gender is not the only indicator for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction. There are several other clues or indicators. The risk factors for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction are as follows and include:

• Having a family member addicted to buying or to shopping is a risk factor for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.
• Personal or Family history of mental disorders is a potential risk factor for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.
• Personal or Family history of addiction issues or substance abuse and personal or family history of anxiety is also a potential risk factor for compulsive shopping or shopping addiction.

There are severe complications with compulsive shopping or shopping addiction. The activity of compulsive shopping or shopping addiction itself is associated with a feeling of power and happiness that is immediately gratifying. The after effects of guilty and remorse takes the spender back to purchase again to become able to attain that abridged, but intense and emotional high. Research has presented that many compulsive shopping or shopping addiction victims also suffer from some other disorders too like eating disorders, substance abuse, or mood disorder. As with any addiction, the person turns out to be dependent on the behavior to relieve negative thoughts and feelings that can cause distress or discomfort.

Compulsive shopping or shopping addiction may also result in financial, family, occupational, and personal problems in one’s life. The alteration in relationships may come out as consequence of excessive spending and attempts to cover up the debts or purchases. They may experience depression and anxiety because of the compulsive shopping or shopping addiction, which can interfere with work or performance in school or office. Due to the amount of money, borrowed, financial problems pile up. The excessive use of credit to make purchases also leads to the same. Sometimes the extent of the financial damage comes out only after the shopper or spender accumulates a large debt, which necessitates a big and drastic change in lifestyle to resolve the problem.

Also Read:

• Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction: Types, Addiction Vs. Normal Shopping
• Causes & Signs of Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction
• Recovery & Prevention of Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction
• Compulsive Shopping or Shopping Addiction: Lifestyle Changes, Yoga, Prognosis