Question 1

Is compulsive shopping a symptom of depression?

Accepted Answer

Yes, compulsive shopping can be a symptom of depression. The act of buying products online or in-person can give the person a burst of pleasure or alleviate boredom. This boost of pleasure is short-lived, and the person may buy additional products to feel it again.

After making a purchase or going on a shopping spree, the person might feel disappointed in their behavior or feel depressed. One reason that compulsive shopping might be a sign of depression is that it can create financial hardships as the person spends money they don't have or need for some other purpose.

Most people with a shopping compulsion do so alone or over the Internet. This lack of socialization is also a sign of depression.

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Question 2

Is compulsive shopping a symptom of bipolar?

Accepted Answer

Compulsive shopping can be one of the many symptoms of bipolar disorder but cannot be used in and of itself to diagnose the condition. According to a 2012 study published in the National Library of Medicine, compulsive buying was found to be higher in bipolar patients than in the healthy control group.

Psych Central reports that because of compulsive shopping and other impulsive financial decisions, those with bipolar disorder are more likely to have issues with debt than the rest of the general population.

These impulsive financial decisions usually happen during manic phases and may include gambling, shopping to self-medicate, buying extravagant gifts, and making investments without enough proper planning and research. These decisions can lead to financial stress, depression, and even suicide.

Question 3

How do I overcome my spending addiction?

Accepted Answer

To overcome a spending addiction, the person needs to first realize they have a problem. The person needs to confide their addiction to friends and family to build a support system. Someone addicted to shopping might seek the help of a therapist or join a support group.

The person needs to catalog their recent spending sprees and determine if there was a trigger that led to it. Once the person establishes a pattern of triggers, they need to develop new tools for dealing with the stress that previously led to unnecessary shopping.

A person with a spending addiction needs to devise a reasonable budget that allows for some discretionary spending. A spending addiction may have placed the person in debt, and a plan needs to be created to pay it off.

Is compulsive shopping a symptom of depression?

Take our free, online depression quiz

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