{"id":19,"date":"2011-09-26T17:55:35","date_gmt":"2011-09-26T17:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/amomentofchange\/?p=19"},"modified":"2011-09-26T18:00:39","modified_gmt":"2011-09-26T18:00:39","slug":"are-you-a-shopaholic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/amomentofchange\/2011\/09\/are-you-a-shopaholic.html","title":{"rendered":"Are You A Shopaholic?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shopping addiction is not a joke, it is not something that\"\"<\/a>
\nis a minor source of irritation between families and it is not a uniquely
\nfemale problem. Individuals with shopping addictions, also known as
\nshopaholics, have a compulsion to simply buy things as a way to fill a void in
\ntheir life. Shopping addictions may be part of the way that a person is taught
\nto celebrate success or they may be a result of a serious emptiness that has
\nbecome overwhelming in a person’s life.<\/p>\n

Often shopping addictions are seen as a minor problem,
\nsomething to be teased about or even rewarded, at least initially. After all
\nhow many times have you heard people talking about going out for a bit of
\n“retail therapy” when they really mean that if you don’t feel good go
\nbuy something that makes you feel good. After a few shopping trips when you
\nfeel bad you may begin to shop compulsively when you aren’t happy about life.
\nThe action of buying an inanimate object becomes a substitute for praise,
\nacceptance or feelings of self-worth and value.<\/p>\n

Shopaholics or shopping addicts tend to have several
\ncharacteristics in common. Consider the following questions about your spending
\nhabits and honestly think about the response you give.<\/p>\n