lakeesha Hennessy Williams answered
I'd suggest trying to get to the 'root' of the problem. I believe that compulsive spending is linked to some sort of underlying condition or disorder.
Anything from low self-esteem to OCD could make someone want to splash the cash like there's no tomorrow.
How to curb a compulsive spender
I was surprised to find out that there actually exists a term for someone who can't keep their money in their purse/wallet. The term Oniomania is used to refer to:
One suggestion I've read about is that people who are addicted to spending money and shopping usually suffer from loneliness and a need to feel special.
Buying things gives a shopaholic a buzz, and replaces the kind of attention and companionship that they could be getting from other people.
If you think this is the case, just being there and supporting your friend will help.
Another suggestion is that the condition is based on an addiction to the adrenaline rush that shopping offers. My advice in treating this would be to get a cheaper hobby!
Try and get your friend to join a sky-diving club or something, see if that gives them enough of a rush.
My friend is a compulsive buyer: How can I help?
Getting to the cause of the spending is the only way you'll be able to help your friend tackle their problem.
Remove all temptations from their sight (no more glossy magazines and QVC).
You may also want to convince them to speak to a therapist (although they don't come cheap either!).
It's widely accepted that disorders like OCD and bi-polarity often manifest in behavior like overspending.
Anything from low self-esteem to OCD could make someone want to splash the cash like there's no tomorrow.
How to curb a compulsive spender
I was surprised to find out that there actually exists a term for someone who can't keep their money in their purse/wallet. The term Oniomania is used to refer to:
- Compulsive shopping/buying
- Shopping addiction
- Shopaholism
The truth is that science doesn't even fully understand what's going on in someone's head when they get the urge to spend, spend, spend.
Not understanding the condition fully makes it a lot harder to help someone suffering from it.
Helping a compulsive shopper
Not understanding the condition fully makes it a lot harder to help someone suffering from it.
Helping a compulsive shopper
One suggestion I've read about is that people who are addicted to spending money and shopping usually suffer from loneliness and a need to feel special.
Buying things gives a shopaholic a buzz, and replaces the kind of attention and companionship that they could be getting from other people.
If you think this is the case, just being there and supporting your friend will help.
Another suggestion is that the condition is based on an addiction to the adrenaline rush that shopping offers. My advice in treating this would be to get a cheaper hobby!
Try and get your friend to join a sky-diving club or something, see if that gives them enough of a rush.
My friend is a compulsive buyer: How can I help?
Getting to the cause of the spending is the only way you'll be able to help your friend tackle their problem.
Remove all temptations from their sight (no more glossy magazines and QVC).
You may also want to convince them to speak to a therapist (although they don't come cheap either!).
It's widely accepted that disorders like OCD and bi-polarity often manifest in behavior like overspending.
