7 Compulsive Buying Disorder

overview of compulsive buying disorder

Many of us need to shop and buy needed items from grocery stores, retail distributors, and sometimes, online using e-platforms like Amazon or E-bay.  Shopping is a part of daily living, however, it becomes addictive when the need to shop becomes so great, that it is detrimental to the person’s financial, emotional, social, or physical well-being.  Like many other behavioral addictions, those that suffer from CBD report a cathartic feeling of pleasure when participating in a compulsive buying spree.  However, that “high” resulting from a surge of dopamine and endorphins in the brain, will quickly dissipate when the shopping or buying has concluded (Black, 2007). Then, the compulsive buyer will be faced with the consequences of their addiction such as: overwhelming credit card debt, difficulty paying for necessary living expenses, trouble with partners, spouses, or family members, and depression or anxiety.

Diagnostic critera for compulsive buying disorder

Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) is characterized by excessive shopping thoughts, and buying behavior that lead to distress or impairment. The disorder affects 5.8% in the US general population, 80% of those are found to be women (Black, 2007). CBD sufferers report obsession or preoccupation with shopping, anticipatory tension or anxiety prior to purchasing, and a sense of catharsis after. CBD is associated with significant psychiatric comorbidity, or, another diagnostic disorder such as depression, anxiety, substance use, eating or feeding and impulse control disorders.

While CBD is not yet cited in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the characteristics of compulsive buying can be understood within the framework of other disorders included in the DSM-5, such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Impulse Control Disorders.

Here are some criteria based on related disorders that might apply to Compulsive Buying Disorder:

Related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

1. Presence of Obsessions or Compulsions: Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and unwanted, causing marked anxiety or distress (obsessions) or repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly (compulsions).
2. Time Consuming: The obsessions or compulsions take up a significant amount of time (e.g., more than 1 hour per day) or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Related to Impulse Control Disorders

1. Failure to Resist Impulses: A recurrent failure to resist impulses to engage in behaviors that are excessive or otherwise dysfunctional, such as frequent and uncontrolled buying or shopping sprees.
2. Emotional Impact: Experiencing a sense of tension or emotional arousal before committing the act and pleasure, gratification, or relief at the time of the act.
3. Negative Consequences: The behavior is not better explained by another mental disorder and results in significant distress or impairment in personal, social, or occupational functioning, including financial problems and interpersonal conflicts.

General Criteria for Diagnosis

1. Excessive Preoccupation with Shopping or Buying: Persistent preoccupation with buying or shopping, leading to repetitive purchasing of items that are not needed or cannot be afforded.
2. Interference with Daily Life: The preoccupation and behaviors cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
3. Avoidance of Negative Emotions: Shopping or buying is often used as a means to alleviate negative emotions, such as anxiety, depression, or boredom.

While these criteria are not officially part of the DSM-5, they can provide a framework for understanding and identifying compulsive buying behaviors in the context of related psychological disorders. For a formal diagnosis, consultation with a mental health professional is necessary.

treatment recommendations

There are no evidence-based treatments for CBD, however, in recent years, treatment studies of CBD have focused on the use of psychotropic medication (mainly antidepressants) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for those afficted (Black, 2007). More research needs to be conducted to test other therapeutic interventions for efficacy of reducing the compulsion to buy. Psychodynamic therapies can prove beneficial in the treatment of CBD in that they can unearth potential causes for the compulsion to buy, possibly identifying if there is any historical mental health or trauma reasons driving the addiction. One researcher (Benson, 2004) developed a comprehensive self-help book and program that uses CBT strategies with self monitoring to help the patient decrease compulsive buying behaviors.

Black (2007) provides the following recommendations: patients should: a) admit that they have CBD; b) get rid of credit cards and checkbooks, because they are easy sources of funds that fuel the disorder; c) shop with a friend or relative; the presence of a person without CBD will help curb the tendency to overspend; and d) find meaningful ways to spend one’s leisure time other than shopping (Black, 2007).

critical thinking questions

supplemental videos

rEFERENCEs

Benson A. Gengler M. Treating compulsive buying. In: Coombs R, editor. Addictive disorders: a practical handbook. New York: Wiley; 2004. pp. 451–491. [Google Scholar]