Shopping addicts may not show physical symptoms, but the financial and emotional fallout of compulsive shopping is closer
to that of a drug addict than one might think.
Compulsive shopping, which is defined by repeated overspending, is sometimes considered a lesser or soft addiction. This assumption is one that Terrence Shulman of the Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft and Spending, said is not true.
I think we look at shopping as kind of a joke
or sometimes we call it a soft addiction instead of a hard or a real addiction. But what we know is when people are excessive about anything it can be really bad he said.
But freshman Liz Markiewicz, who is studying business, said that she isn't sure that an addiction to shopping is as serious as an addiction to drugs.
I don't think that it is (the same). It's not really hurting your body like that it she said.
Shopping addicts, much like other addicts, turn to shopping as a way to feel good or overcome something unfavorable in their lives. Jason Weber, a licensed professional counsel at Counseling & Psychological Services at Ohio University, said people shop to cope.
People who don't have the ability to deal with and tolerate unpleasant situations or unpleasant feelings escape through addictive behaviors
Weber said.
Aisha Hicks, a freshman studying international business and Japanese, said she has noticed that shopping makes her feel good.
It's like a high; it's a natural high when I shop. I have no idea why
but I noticed that this weekend when I went shopping. It is very scary that I can go shopping and I literally get numb. I don't know why it happens
she said.
Aside from shopping compulsively as a way to deal with stress or unfavorable circumstances, Yingjiao Xu, an associate professor in retail merchandising, said that people shop in order to assert social class.
You can buy a car for $5
000 or you can spend $50
000 for a very nice car and that will say something about your social status and your social self
she said.
Weber said this need to have certain product and achieve a certain social status is enforced by our environment.
We certainly exist in a culture that has bombarding messages that you are inadequate unless you stay on trend or in fashion. You have to have the right clothes
cars and houses
he said.
Hicks said that although some people might feel the need to follow trends, she likes express her individuality through clothing.
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