Stop Shopping Compulsively!

When you feel the urge to shop

• Interpret your feelings-what emotions are present? Are you experiencing anxiety, despair, or loneliness?
• Take a walk, or exercise when the urge to shop hits you.
• Call a friend
• Find a Debtor’s anonymous meeting and go to it.
• Call your therapist

Avoid

• Discount warehouses.
• Window shopping
• Phoning in catalog orders
• Don't watch TV shopping channels!

Take Action

1. Return all purchases that can be returned.
2. Destroy all credit cards except one to be used for emergencies only.
3. Make a shopping list in advance, and only purchase what is on the list.
4. Pay for purchases by cash, check, or debit card.

CHANGE THE WAY "CUES" AFFECT YOU

Another critical factor in reducing your complusive shopping has to do with how you allow cues to affect your behavior. Cues are things which increase your craving for the activity. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you reprogram your brain so that you are less responsive to the cues that put you at risk for problem shopping.

YOU CAN LIVE A LIFE FREE OF A SHOPPING ADDICTION

It's not that you haven't been trying hard enough, but you need to try different things. The right psychiatrist can help you. Combining medication for your symptoms, with a personalized and progressive series of psychotherapeutic techniques to help you strenghten your skills, is the best way to get bettter.

About Compulsive Shopping

The shopping and spending activity itself is associated with a feeling of happiness and power that brings instant gratification. The after-effects are remorse and guilt, which drive the spender to purchase again to be able to achieve that brief, but intense, emotional high.

Research has shown that many compulsive shoppers and spenders also suffer from mood disorders, substance abuse, or eating disorders. As with any addiction, the person becomes dependent on the behavior to relieve negative feelings that cause her distress and discomfort.

PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO COMPULSIVE SHOPPING

It's true. Many of my patients have untreated conditions including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder, that directly contribute to their inability to stop problem behaviors. Once the unnderlying condition is managed, they find it much easier to control their spending.

To Schedule a Consultation, Please Call 310-593-4827

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