When shopping is termed a disorder

When some people make statements like 'I just got back from  trading capital and I shopped till I almost dropped',most fans or friends of such people quickly rush to make comments like,'girl you are enjoying '. Yes if things are all equal such people are living their, but when you have a friend who embarks on endless shopping sprees, shops and drops even to the extent of owing, then you need to dig deep.

 People can actually be addicted to shopping and these can pose problems in their lives psychologically and especially financially.

 Shopping addiction AKA compulsive shopping /shopaholism is;

A spending disorder which is
(1) Poorly controlled
(2) Markedly distressful, time-consuming, and which results in familial, social, vocational, and/or financial difficulties
(3) Does not occur in the context of hypomanic or manic symptoms

Here is a classic scenario of a compulsive shopper;

Ms. A says shopping is her primary social activity and entertainment. Though she works full time, she shops three or more times a week, cruising expensive department stores and discount outlets on evenings and weekends. She buys clothing, shoes, makeup, jewelry, antiques, household electronics, and other items.

She says her shopping is spontaneous and impulsive. Shopping gives her an emotional “rush” that is frequently followed by periods of guilt, and she often returns or gives away purchased items. She is disappointed at her inability to control her shopping behavior and ashamed of the financial crises she has caused.culled from current  psychiatry.

 Onset of this disorder is late adolescense to early adulthood with a female to male ratio of may be 9:1. Behaviour exhibited includes frequent shopping, spending inappropriately and even fantasizing about future purchases. The sufferer experiences an irresistible urge which prompts spending and the feeling of guilt and distress developes after shopping. In most cases sufferers are in denial,often feeling embarrassed to disclose their symptoms and they often hide their purchases or even return them to where they bought it.

  The behavior occurs year-round but might intensify around holidays or birthdays. Clothing, shoes, makeup, and jewelry are the most popular items women buy, though men with this disorder may focus on electronics, sporting equipment, or automobile accessories. When not actively buying, patients remain preoccupied with shopping, perusing mail order catalogs or newspaper ads and fantasizing about their next purchases

 Low-income persons who shop compulsively may do so at consignment shops or garage sales. Some studies showed that, the most severe compulsive buyers had the lowest incomes, thus suggesting that:
-lack of money does not prevent compulsive shopping disorder from developing
-severe compulsive shoppers lack the ability to delay their shopping.

If you meet the criteria of a compulsive spender here are tips that can help you prevent shopping binges.

>Pay for purchases by cash, check, debit card.
>Make a shopping list and only buy what is on the list.
>Destroy all credit cards except one to be used for emergency only.
>Avoid discount warehouses. Allocate only a certain amount of cash to be spent if you do visit one.
>"Window shop" only after stores have closed. If you do "look" during the day, leave your wallet at home.
>Avoid phoning in catalog orders and don't watch TV shopping channels.
>If you're traveling to visit friends or reltives, have your gifts wrapped and call the project finished; people tend to make more extraneous purchases when they shop outside their own communities.
>Take a walk or exercise when the urge to shop comes on.
>If you feel out of control, you probably are. Seek counseling or a support group

The big question is,'do you spend till you drop and are way buried in debt?..if yes scroll up and read the above again.
 If you have friends that tend to fit the above description, you can direct them to this page to learn a thing or two.