Shopping Euphoria

Since the 1920's a phenomenon has been recognised in the form of shopping addiction. Technically referred to as oniomania (colloquially as shopoholism), it is becoming increasingly common for people to be diagnosed as consumer addicts.

What is Oniomania?

Oniomania is defined as the compulsive desire to purchase for emotional reasons. It is commonly linked to comfort, loneliness, self esteem, and other emotional issues. It can be a means of occupying the mind (eg. when experiencing grief), a biproduct to periods of mania (meaning it can be, at times, linked to bipolar disorders), or a reaction to periods of stress, isolation, and low self esteem as a means of comfort. In many genuine cases oniomaniacs will live beyond their means and accumulate massive debt, particularly when using credit cards. This coupled with the emotional issues that we now know can be connected to the condition has be cause for growing concern at the worsening trend.

When people refer to themselves or someone else as a 'shopaholic', it it is usually meant lightly and is often not seen as a serious condition. It has been portrayed in fictional media comedically (eg. Confessions of a Shopaholic) and it is easy to forget that in reality it can be an indicator of deeper emotional issues that can steadily unravel the staility of someone's life.