Lesson 17 - Oniomania

 Oniomania, also known as compulsive shopping disorder or shopping addiction, is a mental health condition characterized by an overwhelming and uncontrollable urge to shop excessively and compulsively. 

There are some of us who are seeking Financial Sobriety and struggling with Oniomania. 

Here's a more detailed explanation of what it is:

• Compulsive Behaviour: Oniomania involves engaging in shopping or buying activities repeatedly and excessively, often beyond what is needed or what can be afforded. This behaviour is driven by an intense emotional need rather than a rational desire for the items purchased.
• Loss of Control: People with oniomania often find it challenging to control their shopping impulses. They may have a strong desire to stop shopping or cut down on their spending but find it extremely difficult to do so.
• Negative Consequences: The compulsive shopping behaviour can lead to a range of negative consequences, including financial problems, strained relationships, and emotional distress. Individuals with oniomania may accumulate significant debt or hoard items they don't need.
• Emotional Triggers: Oniomania is often triggered or exacerbated by emotional factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or boredom. Shopping becomes a way to cope with or escape from these emotions temporarily.
• Escalation: Over time, the need to shop excessively may escalate as individuals build up a tolerance to the emotional relief they get from shopping. This can lead to a cycle of increasingly impulsive and harmful buying behaviour.
• Interference with Daily Life: Oniomania can interfere with a person's daily life, work, and relationships. It may lead to a decline in overall well-being and functioning.
• Awareness and Self-Help: Developing self-awareness of the problem is an essential step in managing oniomania. Individuals can also learn self-help strategies to resist impulsive shopping, such as making a spending plan/budgeting, avoiding shopping triggers, and finding healthier ways to cope with emotions.
• Support System: Having a support system of friends and family who understand the condition and offer emotional support can be instrumental in recovery. Working with a money coach who specializes in addictive behaviours can also help (aka Financial Sobriety School & Me!).

If you have read through this and resonate with it, you are not alone. 

I believe that when I was at the depth of my spending I was experiencing oniomania. With the work I have done on my Financial Sobriety I don’t believe it is something that I struggle with now, but in saying that my spending doesn’t look or feel perfect. I’m not sure it ever will. That is the process of healing. 

Please reach out if you feel you need support. My email is [email protected] and website is www.lindaparmar.com and would love to be of support to you. 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.