Compulsive shopping (shopping addiction)
Shopping addiction turns buying into an automatic response to emotional distress, followed by guilt and financial problems. At Reconectar we treat it with outpatient, individual therapy in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, confidentially and without hospitalisation.
What is compulsive shopping?
Compulsive shopping, also called oniomania or shopping addiction, is a pattern of buying that the person cannot control and uses to regulate their emotions. What matters is not what is bought or how much it costs, but the irrepressible urge to buy and the momentary relief it produces.
Consumer society, easy payment options and, above all, online shopping have multiplied the risk. Buying with a single click, at any hour and without the friction of paying in cash, makes it easy for the behaviour to escalate until it becomes compulsive. The item bought is often not even used.
Symptoms and warning signs
Shopping addiction is usually socially played down, which delays asking for help. These are some warning signs.
- Shopping to relieve anxiety, sadness or boredom.
- Feeling tension before buying and relief or euphoria while doing it.
- Guilt or regret after the purchase.
- Buying things that are neither needed nor ever used.
- Hiding purchases or lying about spending.
- Getting into debt or losing control of finances through shopping.
Causes
Compulsive shopping works as a quick way to relieve unpleasant emotions. The act of buying activates the reward system and provides a sense of control, novelty or worth that the person does not find in other areas of their life.
On top of that base, factors such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, emotional emptiness or the need for approval have an influence. Advertising and marketing, designed to stimulate the desire to buy, act as powerful triggers.
Consequences
The most visible consequence is financial: uncontrolled spending, debts, loans and, in the most serious cases, serious financial problems. But the emotional impact is just as important.
After the momentary relief come guilt, shame and a drop in self-esteem that, frequently, push the person to buy again, closing a circle that is hard to break. The secrecy and lies about spending also damage trust with a partner and family.
Treatment at Reconectar
At Reconectar we treat shopping addiction with an outpatient, individual and personalised approach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, confidentially and without hospitalisation.
We work with cognitive therapy to identify the emotions and situations that trigger the urge to buy, and with motivational techniques that reinforce change. The goal is for you to stop needing shopping to feel good and to learn to manage distress in another way. We also offer practical guidance to regain control of money and rebuild trust with those around you.
Symptoms and signs
- Shopping to relieve anxiety or sadness.
- Tension before buying and relief while doing it.
- Guilt or regret after the purchase.
- Buying things that are neither needed nor used.
- Hiding purchases or lying about spending.
- Failed attempts to cut down on shopping.
- Getting into debt in order to buy.
- Thinking about shopping constantly.
Consequences
- Debts and financial problems.
- Loss of control of personal finances.
- Recurring guilt and shame.
- Low self-esteem.
- Anxiety and depressive symptoms.
- Lies and loss of trust in a partner.
- Conflict and family tension.
- Accumulation of unused items.
FAQ
Treat your addiction at Reconectar
We are a private centre in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. We offer individual, personalised, drug-free treatment with no hospitalisation. Get in touch with complete discretion and confidentiality.