Understanding Compulsive Shopping Disorder

Although it's not officially described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), it has been suggested that compulsive shopping disorder, also known as compulsive buying disorder, is either a type of impulse control disorder, a behavioral addiction or possibly even related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Characteristics

The characteristics of compulsive shopping disorder include:

• Difficulty resisting the purchase of unneeded items.
• Financial difficulties because of uncontrolled shopping.
• Preoccupation with shopping for unneeded items.
• Problems at work, school, or home because of uncontrolled shopping.
• Spending a great deal of time doing research on coveted items and/or shopping for unneeded items.

Despite this temporary relief, many people with compulsive shopping disorder feel disappointed with themselves and depressed about their apparent lack of control over their behavior.

Common items purchased include clothes, shoes, jewelry, and household items, such as containers, dishes, etc., with many compulsive shoppers unable to resist items on sale, in particular.

Most people who are affected by compulsive shopping disorder prefer to shop alone or online rather than subject themselves to potential embarrassment by shopping with others.

Who's Affected

It has been estimated that compulsive shopping affects around 6% of the population in the United States. Research has also shown that:

• Females are nine times more likely to be affected than males.
• Most cases of compulsive shopping begin in early adulthood and it is rare for this disorder to begin after age 30.
• One recent study shows that the prevalence of compulsive shopping disorder may be increasing over time as well.

Problems with mood, such as major depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder, are often common in compulsive shopping, as is the presence of other disorders such as skin picking or hair pulling, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse, personality disorders or binge eating disorder.

Another study found that compulsive shoppers:

• Had lower educational status
• Had lower self-esteem
• Had more impulsive behavior
• Had more mental distress
• Had more symptoms of OCD
• Were more likely to be female
• Were more likely to have some sort of substance like alcohol, tobacco, or drugs

Interestingly, these same compulsive buyers were five times more likely to fit the criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD) than the rest of the shoppers were.

Treatment

Although research findings have been mixed, there is some evidence that compulsive shopping disorder responds to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). There is also evidence that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be effective in reducing symptoms in many compulsive shoppers, although more research is necessary to determine what types of therapy are effective for whom.

Further Research Needed

With the prevalence of this disorder, as well as the evidence that the number of people affected by it is increasing, more research needs to be done to learn how to more effectively screen and treat people who suffer from compulsive shopping disorder.