Why We Keep Buying Without Stopping: The Psychological Mechanism of Shopaholism

At first glance, shopaholism seems like a harmless habit. Shopping brings pleasure, and things never seem unnecessary. However, psychiatrists have long classified compulsive buying, or oniomania, as a serious disorder. In the twenty first century it is even called a new plague, as it is spreading rapidly and affects not only women, as was once believed, but men as well. If the problem is not noticed in time, a person may end up in debt and living in an apartment filled with useless items.

The core of the disorder lies in becoming accustomed to an emotional high from the act of purchasing itself. Neither the price nor the usefulness of the item matters. What matters is the moment of acquisition. This turns shopping into a ritual that gives a sense of control, joy, or relief. Sometimes a shopaholic is aware of the problem and suffers from guilt, while in other cases they act automatically. This is especially dangerous because financial risks increase.

Oniomania is often accompanied by anxiety, mood swings, and even signs of psychosomatic reactions. Illnesses may appear as if for attention or as a response to stress. There is also often a tendency to hoard items, although not in the same form as in severe hoarding disorder.

There are clear signs that help identify a developing addiction. These include a constant desire to go shopping without a purpose, regular online orders, anticipation of shopping as an event, inability to relax without making purchases, and feelings of shame afterward. An important detail is that enjoyment from a long desired item is not the same as enjoyment from any purchase. It is the latter that signals a problem.

The causes of addiction usually lie in past experiences or emotional states. For some, it is an attempt to compensate for a deprived childhood. For others, it is an escape from loneliness or stress. In some cases, the addiction forms in people who received everything immediately in childhood and never learned to control their desires. In the modern world, social media, advertising, and online stores accelerate the development of the problem, as everything can be bought too easily and too quickly.

Treatment begins with recognizing the problem. It is important to learn to distinguish between need and want, to ask yourself whether a purchase is truly necessary, to track the emotions that trigger the urge to spend money, and to find ways to replace impulsive actions with hobbies, new activities, or long term goals. Financial boundaries also help, such as a limited budget, avoiding spontaneous spending, and support from close people.