Are you a shopaholic?

Are you a shopaholic? - the eight warning signs

Recent media attention through the release of the comedy "Confessions of a Shopaholic" has raised the profile of this condition. However humourous a film treatment may be, it is timely to remember that shopping addiction is real and of great concern to a number of Australians.

Lisa Chapman, Clinical Manager for South Pacific Private Hospital says they see many Australians both men and women for whom their shopping addiction is of real concern and creating issues for them and their families.

"Shopping addiction is just that, an addiction. We can trivialise and make light of it, but for many Australians they face a struggle to overcome it," said Ms Chapman. "With early intervention, treatment can prevent a situation from turning into a serious psychological and financial condition."

Some of the early warning signs to watch out for are:
1. Regularly spend in excess of your means
2. Regularly impulse buying - experiences of euphoria followed by remorse
3. Continue to shop despite the negative consequences of overspending such as debt, and the resulting conflict in relationships
4. Regularly confuse 'want' versus 'need'
5. Thinking about shopping or planning your next shopping trip interrupts necessary work or study time
6. You notice you go shopping when you are lonely, sad, or just bored
7. Other people comment on your shopping behaviour
8. You find yourself shopping when you hadn't planned to - it becomes almost subconscious

Ms Chapman urged anyone who had concerns to talk to someone, "it's important that these concerns and issues are discussed, preferably with someone from the medical or mental health profession. If you feel that your shopping habits are getting out of control, talk to a healthcare professional."

About South Pacific Private
Based on Sydney's northern beaches, South Pacific Private is one of Australia's leading treatment centres for the integrated treatment of depression, anxiety, alcohol and other addictions, trauma, disordered eating, relationship issues and co-occurring conditions.

The South Pacific Private Program focuses on treating not just the symptoms, but also the causes and underlying issues a client may have, significantly reducing the likelihood of a relapse. South Pacific Private provides a safe, therapeutic community where people can gain awareness into their illness in a supportive, empathic environment.