Oniomania (Compulsive Shopping)

Onomania

The purchase of new items gradually turns into an addiction, and this process may involve the following phases:

Stage of fun and pleasure – the person views shopping as an enjoyable and entertaining activity.

Habit formation – gradually, buying new items becomes not just a wish, but a way to unwind, reduce stress, or manage emotions.

Compulsive shopping – the person can no longer control their urges and feels a strong “need” to buy something. In this phase, purchases are driven not by actual necessity, but by an emotional impulse.

Dependence – shopping becomes one of the central parts of life. A person experiences anxiety, discomfort, or depression when they are unable to shop. They often buy items they do not need, do not use, or that cause financial difficulties.

When do we say that a person has an addiction?

A constant urge to shop and to plan purchases – the person is constantly thinking about shopping and planning what to buy next.

Loss of control – the person is unable to regulate how much they buy and often exceeds their budget.

Emotional changes related to shopping – feeling pleasure while buying, but experiencing guilt, shame, or depression afterward.

Perceiving shopping as a necessity during emotional stress – the person turns to buying things as a way to reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, or loneliness.

Presence of financial difficulties or debts – the person continues making purchases by taking on new debts or spending their entire budget.

Buying unnecessary items – making purchases just for the sake of the act itself, with items often remaining unused.

Deception and concealment – misleading family members or friends to hide how much money they spend or what they have bought.

Neglecting other activities – pushing work, studies, and social relationships into the background because of shopping.

Behavioral cycle:

The main feature of onomania is a recurrent behavioral cycle:

Anxiety → urge to buy → shopping → temporary pleasure → guilt and anxiety → repetition of the cycle.

Psychological factors:

Emotional emptiness or dissatisfaction.

Depression or low self-esteem.

Inability to manage stress and anxiety.

Impulsive behaviors.

Biological factors:

Dopamine imbalance in the brain, and dependence on the intense feeling of pleasure experienced when purchasing new items.

Hyperactivity of the brain’s reward system during the purchase of new items.

Genetic predisposition to behavioral disorders.

Social and cultural factors:

Advertising and social media that are aimed at encouraging purchases.

The cultural prioritization of materialism and the evaluation of success through financial achievements.

Encouragement of consumer behavior by friends or one’s social circle.

Possible consequences of oniomania:

Financial difficulties:

Accumulating debts and unpaid loans.

Increasing financial stress, which negatively affects other areas of life.

Mental health problems:

Worsening of anxiety and depression.

Feelings of dissatisfaction with oneself and guilt.

Feeling disappointed with life and a sense of losing control.

Social difficulties:

Strained relationships with family members, friends, or partners.

Risk of isolation and disconnection from society.

Work-related difficulties:

Neglecting professional responsibilities or losing interest in work.

Delays or setbacks in career advancement.

Possible treatment options:

Psychotherapy:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT):

Helps individuals identify and change obsessive thoughts and behaviors.

Helps the individual identify and change obsessive behaviors and thoughts.

Group therapy:

Sharing experiences and receiving emotional support with others who face similar challenges.

Sharing experiences and receiving emotional support with people who face similar challenges.

Medication treatment:

Antidepressants that help balance serotonin and dopamine levels.

Anxiolytic medications to reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Other psychotropic medications to help control impulsive behaviours, as needed.

Developing healthy habits:

Such as exercise, meditation, or a creative hobby.

Setting a strict budget.

Helpful recommendations for patients

Keep a daily record:

Track your expenses to better understand how much money you are spending and on what.
Try to identify the main reasons behind your spending, for example: emotional tension, boredom, or social pressure.

Set a strict budget:

Decide in advance how much money you will allocate for different needs.
Reduce your purchases and follow your personal financial plan.

Choose alternative activities:

Instead of shopping, engage in activities that help relieve stress, such as exercise, meditation, reading, or drawing.

Think carefully before making a purchase:

While shopping, ask yourself the following questions:

Do I really need this item?
Do I have the money to buy it?
Can I wait 24 hours before deciding to purchase it?

Reduce visual triggers:

Try to avoid advertisements that encourage you to make impulsive purchases.
Temporarily disable online shopping apps or accounts on social media.

Seek professional support:

Consult a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in managing behavioral disorders.
Consider attending financial counseling sessions to help you manage debt.

Start psychotherapy:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you manage obsessive thoughts and behaviors.
Group therapy is an effective way to receive emotional support.

Explore technological tools:

Use personal finance management apps to monitor and control your spending.
Set limits on online purchases.