Are You an Impulsive Buyer?

[Anahi Ortiz M.D.]

   Impulsivity is extremely common in those with ADHD and one of the manifestations of impulsivity can be impulsive or compulsive buying.  Of course, ADHD is not the only disorder associated with impulsive buying. It has been associated with mood disorder such as depression, substance use, obsessive compulsive d/o, anxiety and eating disorders.. Women make up more than 80% of those with compulsive buying and its onset is usually in the late teens to early 20's, at time of some financial independence. The diagnostic criteria most widely accepted is:

   The inability to resist the urge to buy, maladaptive preoccupations with buying and accompanying impairments in thought.

   It's important to distinguish between normal from uncontrollable buying. Many of us do indulge in a shopping spree from time to time. However, is your closet full of unopened shopping bags? Does much of your life center around buying things? Do you buy things you don't need? Do you spend more than you can afford? Do you feel guilty or ashamed about this behavior? The link attached is one of three scales used to help determine whether someone may have compulsive buying. Try it out.Faber-and-OGuinn-Compulsive-Buying-Scale.pdf

   What about treatment? There has been some good success with antidepressants. Also, group cognitive behavioral therapy has also shown promise.Some helpful actions you can try are:

• think about particular cues or triggers related to the overbuying, is it in response to particular feelings, etc
• enlist the aid of a close friend or shopping support buddy to help gain control
• on a piece of paper write down - why am I here, how do I feel, do I need this, what if I wait, how will I pay for this, where will I put it? Then wrap this around your credit card and a copy around your debit card
• go to a support group such as: Debtors Anonymous, Shopping Addicts Only ( a yahoo online support group), Onsite Workshops ( Wall Street Journal wrote on the positive effects of these workshops)

   Two websites you may want to look at are www.stoppingovershopping.com and www.hypnosisdownloads.com/downloads/hypnotherapy/shoppingaddiction.... - this is an audiofile with guided imagery and visualization to help overshoppers gain control.

   Hopefully if shopping is an issue with some of you with ADHD this short blog has given you some ideas on seeking help. Please feel free to comment! As always send me an email or call me with any questions or if you would like to try coaching:

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