Oniomania (compulsive shopping, or what is more commonly referred to as buying addiction) is perhaps the most socially acceptable addiction. Think about it: we are surrounded by advertisements telling us that buying will make us happy.
We are encouraged by politicians to spend money as a way to fuel the economy. And for some of us, there is an attraction to want what everyone else seems to have. Consumerism, by our own intentions or not (or some combination), has become a measure of social value.
Buying addiction is a behavioral addiction in which compulsive buying is a way to feel good and avoid negative feelings, such as anxiety and depression. Like other behavioral addictions, buying addiction can take over as a preoccupation that leads to problems in other areas of your life.
Usually beginning in the late teens and early adulthood, shopping addiction often co-occurs with other disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, eating disorders, other impulse control disorders and personality disorders. Some people develop shopping addiction as a way to try to increase their self-esteem, although it is usually not very effective.
Treatment BeterKlinic
BeterKliniek is the clinic for Integrative Medicine that bridges regular and non-regular medicine.
An van Veen (physician) and Michael van Gils (therapist) look for the cause of a condition or disease. That is where the treatment starts otherwise, as people often say, it is 'carrying water to the sea'. We call this cause medicine. Sometimes it is also desirable to treat the symptoms (at the same time). We call this symptom medicine.
Chronic disorders often have their cause in epi- genetics. You can schedule a free informative telephone consultation (phone number 040-7117337 until 1 p.m.) at BeterKliniek to discuss your symptoms so that we can provide you with further advice.
