Shopping Addiction: I need help!

Posted by tammykol @tammykol, Apr 22, 2023

Hello!

I have several DX’s including depression, anxiety, OCD (mild), and ADHD.

I have struggled with shopping as a terrible coping mechanism on and off but consistently on for the past several years. Life has gotten a lot more stressful but honestly I don’t know the root cause and I think that’s probably necessary for beating it (?)

I’m looking for advice from REAL people that are going through this or have beat it rather than counselors who only went to school for it and don’t have a clue about the almost impossible addiction to beat.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Addiction & Recovery Support Group.

mikaylar | @mikaylar | Apr 23, 2023

Here ya go..............go to thrift stores. It satisfies my shopping addiction and I walk out with big bags for $6-$10. The place I go sells stuff by the pound. Used to be 29 cents a pound/now$1.29. I once got a bra for 4 cents and a blazer for cents. Even if you go once a week and spend a couple bucks. It's not like you are doing drugs or drinking yourself to death. I know...I'm a bad influence. Ha! Or better yet, just get a job in a thrift store or volunteer.

SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Apr 24, 2023

@tammykol I have bi-polar II
Shopping is one of the things I do to make myself feel better. Sometimes I just need to walk around a store, look, touch the things, and then I leave. I may buy something that I need, or think I need…
Lately, I have been amusing myself with puzzles from the library. It’s free, challenging, and keeps my mind off things.
Now, here’s my biggest challenge, and it’s gotten way out of control. Sugar. I am craving sweets so bad right now. I know I need to stop, but I’m not ready.
So, we all have something especially nowadays.