They are highly valued customers and regularly ensure good sales. But behind the facade of the wealthy and patronizing customer sometimes lies human suffering and a tangible addiction: shopping addiction. According to a study by the University of Hohenheim, one in four people have problems controlling their buying behavior or regularly use buying to compensate for deficits. According to the study, five to eight percent of adults are “at high risk” of developing a shopping addiction. If frustration buying becomes a habit after an argument with colleagues or a partner and the urge to buy becomes an uncontrollable compulsion, professional help is needed.
Symptoms and consequences of shopping addiction
Similar to drug addicts, the addict’s interests narrow more and more to buying, which ultimately remains as the only means of satisfaction. Social contacts become less and less important. In order to get that familiar feeling of happiness, people buy more and more frequently, and in some cases more and more expensive goods.
Addiction expert Inga Margraf explains: “The spectrum of withdrawal symptoms ranges from inner restlessness and malaise to psychosomatic illnesses and suicidal thoughts. Those affected and their relatives should definitely take the problem seriously.” At the same time, addicts are less concerned with possessing things. Rather, sufferers crave the euphoric or soothing feeling, as well as the affirmation and attention they feel when they buy.
Women more likely to be addicted to shopping
Inga Margraf: “Addiction affects all income and education levels.” According to studies, however, younger consumers and women are disproportionately represented. Most shopping addicts specialize in individual product groups such as shoes, food or technical devices. Others seek out a very specific buying environment – such as boutiques, supermarkets or order catalogs – or take only discounted goods.
The spending spree is usually followed by a guilty conscience, feelings of guilt and regret. “In some cases, the addicts even tamper with their company’s petty cash, their children’s savings or squander their vacation reserves to finance their addiction,” explains Margraf. In the process, the goods are often not even unpacked or used, he said. “In the advanced stages, the goods are even hidden, given away or thrown away unused for fear of the family.”
