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Shopping Addiction

What happens when shopping spirals out of control, and in some cases,

becomes an addiction? From hitting the mall with your girlfriends on a Saturday

afternoon, to holiday spending on gifts that go under the tree, shopping could be called

one of America's favorite pastimes. For most people, it means some new clothes for

work or a small trinket for a friend. For others, however, shopping is much more than an

enjoyable pastime, and in some cases, it is a real and destructive addiction that can turn

into a financial disaster. "Compulsive shopping and spending are defined as

inappropriate, excessive, and out of control," says Donald Black, MD, professor of

psychiatry at the University Of Lowa College Of Medicine. "Like other addictions, it

basically has to do with impulsiveness and lack of control over one's impulses. In

America, shopping is embedded in our culture; so often, the impulsiveness comes out

as excessive shopping. Sometimes referred to as "shopoholism," shopping addiction

can wreak havoc on a person's life, family, and finances.

"No one knows what causes addictive behaviors, like shopping, alcoholism, drug abuse,

and gambling," says Ruth Engs, EdD, a professor of applied health science at Indiana

University. Some of the new evidence suggests that some people, maybe 10%-15%,

may have a genetic predisposition to an addictive behavior, coupled with an

environment in which the particular behavior is triggered, but no one really knows why.

There are certainly a lot of commonalities among shopaholics and other addicts. For

instance, while alcoholics will hide their bottles, shopaholics will hide their purchases.

Spending over budget, Often times a person will spend over their budget and get into

deep financial trouble, spending well above their income. The normal person will say,

'Oops, I can't afford to buy this or that. But not someone who has an addiction, he or

she will not recognize the boundaries of a budget. Compulsive buying. When a person

with a shopping addiction goes shopping, they often compulsively buy, meaning they go

for one pair of shoes and come out with 10. Hiding the problem. Shopaholics will hide

their purchases because they don't want their significant other to know they bought it

because they'll be criticized. They may have secret credit card accounts, too. Because

this problem affects mostly women, as alcoholism affects mostly men, husbands will all

of sudden be told their wife is RM20, 000-RM30, 000 in debt and they are responsible,

and many times, this comes out in divorce.

Impaired relationships when shopping will be happening when because the person

spends time away from home to shop, covers up debt with deception, and emotionally

and physically starts to isolate themselves from others as they become preoccupied

with their behavior.

Although widespread consumerism has escalated in recent years, shopping addiction is

not a new disorder. It was recognized as far back as the early nineteenth century, and

was cited as a psychiatric disorder in the early twentieth century. We are surrounded by

advertising, telling us that buying will make us happy. We are encouraged by politicians

to spend as a way of boosting the economy. And we all want to have what those

around us have - consumerism has become a measure of our social worth. So what

makes the difference between normal shopping, occasional splurges, and shopping

addiction? As with all addictions, shopping becomes the person’s main way of coping

with stress, to the point where they continue to shop excessively even when it is clearly

having a negative impact on other areas of their life. As with other addictions, finances

and relationships are damaged, yet the shopping addict feels unable to stop or even

control their spending. Like other behavioral addictions, shopping addiction is a

controversial idea. Many experts balk at the idea that excessive spending can constitute

an addiction, believing that there has to be a psychoactive substance which produces

symptoms such as physical tolerance and withdrawal for an activity to be a true

addiction. There is also some disagreement among professionals about whether

compulsive shopping should be considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),

impulse control disorder (like pathological gambling), mood disorder (like depression),

or addiction. It has been suggested that, along with kleptomania (compulsive stealing)

and binge-eating disorder (BED), it be viewed as an impulsive-compulsive spectrum

disorder.

Compulsive shopping and spending is like a people who "shop 'till they drop" and run

their credit cards up to the limit often have a shopping addiction. They believe that if

they shop they will feel better. Compulsive shopping and spending generally makes a

person feel worse. It is similar to other addictive behaviors and has some of the same

characteristics as problem drinking (alcoholism), gambling and overeating addictions.

It also can occur when a person feels depressed, lonely and angry. Shopping and

spending will not assure more love, bolster self-esteem, or heal the hurts, regrets,

stress, and the problems of daily living. It generally makes these feelings worse

because of the increased financial debt the person has obtained from compulsive

shopping. Shopaholics, when they are feeling "out of sorts, shop for a “pick-me-up."

They go out and buy, to get a high, or get a "rush" just like a drug or alcohol addict.

Shopping addiction tends to affect more women than men. They often buy things they

do not need. Holiday seasons can trigger shopping binges among those who are not

compulsive the rest of the year.

Many shopping addicts go on binges all year long and may be compulsive about buying

certain items, such as shoes, kitchen items or clothing; some will buy anything. Women

with this compulsive disorder often have racks of clothes and possessions with the price

tags still attached which have never been used. They will go to a shopping mall with the

intention of buying one or two items and come home with bags and bags of purchases.

In some cases shopaholics have an emotional "black out" and do not remember even

buying the articles. If their family or friends begin to complain about their purchases,

they will often hide the things they buy. They are often in denial about the problem.

Because they cannot pay their bills their credit rating suffers, they have collection

agencies attempting to get what is owed, may have legal, social and relationship

problems. They sometimes attempt to hide their problem by taking on an extra job to

pay for bills.

There are several characteristics that shopping addiction shares with other addictions.

As with other addictions, shopping addicts become preoccupied with spending, and

devote significant time and money to the activity. Actual spending is important to the

process of shopping addiction; window shopping does not constitute an addiction, and

the addictive pattern is actually driven by the process of spending money. As with other

addictions, shopping addiction is highly ritualized and follows a typically addictive

pattern of thoughts about shopping, planning shopping trips, and the shopping act itself,

often described as pleasurable, ecstatic even, and as providing relief from negative

feelings. Finally, the shopper crashes, with feelings of disappointment, particularly with

him or herself. Compulsive shoppers use shopping as a way of escaping negative

feelings, such as depression, anxiety, boredom, self-critical thoughts, and anger.

Unfortunately, the escape is short-lived. The purchases are often simply hoarded

unused and compulsive shoppers will then begin to plan the next spending spree. Most

shop alone, although some shop with others who enjoy it. Generally, it will lead to

embarrassment to shop with people who don’t share this type of enthusiasm for

shopping. There have several ways to prevent shopping binges which is:

i) Pay for purchases by cash, check, debit card.

ii) Make a shopping list and only buy what is on the list.

iii) Destroy all credit cards except one to be used for emergency only.

iv) "Window shop" only after stores has closed. If you do "look" during the

day, leave your wallet at home.

v) Avoid phoning in catalog orders and don't watch TV shopping channels.

vi) If you're traveling to visit friends or reltives, have your gifts wrapped and

call the project finished; people tend to make more extraneous purchases

when they shop outside their own communities.

vii) Take a walk or exercise when the urge to shop comes on.

viii) If you feel out of control, you probably are. Seek counseling or a support

group such as Debtors Anonymous.

If you believe you may have a shopping addiction, discuss possible treatments with your

doctor. You may also find it helpful to get financial counseling, particularly if you have

run up debts by spending. It is recommended that you abstain from use of checkbooks

and credit cards, as the easy access to funding tends to fuel the addiction. Shopping

only with friends or relatives who do not compulsively spend is also a good idea, as they

can help you to curb your spending. Finding alternative ways of enjoying your leisure

time is essential to breaking the cycle of using shopping as way of trying to feel better

about you. Remember, you are a worthwhile person, no matter how much or how little

you own. It is recommended that spending addicts seek professional counseling or a

self-help group to deal with this problem. Addictive behaviors tend to come in clusters,

so if you have an eating disorder, a problem with drugs or alcohol, or gambling, you

may be a candidate for shopping addiction. Many communities have credit counseling

centers that will also help with shopoholism.

It is recommended that spending addicts seek professional counseling or a self-help

group to deal with this problem. Addictive behaviors tend to come in clusters, so if you

have an eating disorder, a problem with drugs or alcohol, or gambling, you may be a

candidate for shopping addiction. Many communities have credit counseling centers

that will also help with shopoholism.

FOUR REFLECTIONS

During doing this coursework, I found myself have a great experience. From this

task, I have known that I can overcome my weakness in English. By doing this task, I

learnt that English is not very hard like I assume before.

The problems I faced when I do this coursework are my packed time. I am having

a hard time as most of my coursework were due on the same date, 24 th March 2012. In

another hand, my English is not very well, so I feel hard to complete it. So, I start to

read newspaper in English like New Straits Time and The Star to find the information

that I need for my assignment. I also start to use dictionary to find meaning of difficult

words, that I cannot understand.

The most valuable lesson that I have found out while completing this course

work, is the useful internet. Internet helped me a lot in this coursework when I search

for information. It was so easy, everything at my fingertips. I also can save the time

searching for the information. I also have learnt how to read emails, emailing friends,

download and upload whatever I want from internet. Doing this task, make me realise

that time management is very important to ensure that all work we have planned to be

completed on time as scheduled. So we have to know how to arrange and manage our

work properly.

Furthermore, to improve my English skills I should not be lazy to use the

dictionary to find difficult word to understand during reading. I also shouldn’t be

ashamed to ask. I stand on the proverb, “Practise makes perfect”.

If only I get a chance to redo this coursework, I will make sure that I will manage

my time effectively and do not postpone the works and done it in the last minute. I also

do not want to bring the bad perceptions about English. Like the proverb “Don`t judge

the book by its cover,”

What we have to do is use dictionary often and read more English reading

materials. By completing this coursework, I can used more English vocabulary with

confident because I have learnt how interesting English in our live. I also feel great

when I understand the whole text I’ve read.

Lastly I would like to thank everyone who helps while doing this coursework

especially my group members, Pn Saminah and Pn Norfazidah. Without their support

this course work cannot be complete.

Yours faithfully,

Mazilah binti Ahmad

This coursework have been instructed to be done by my group on the 10 MARCH 2012.It

is under the English Language Proficiency (WAJ 3103) subject. After receiving it,I decided to

choose one of the text provided by the lecturer. In order to produce suitable ideas based on the

selected text ,I have to find four articles from the internet and any other source. After extracted

the ideas and details ,I came into a conclusion of selecting the “Addicted to the Mall”as my main

issue.

I found that this topic should be disscussed more frequent due to the rising interest among

people to choose the shopping mall as a place for recreation and leisure with friends or family

members.

a) During the on going process, there were few problems faced by me.

Firstly,due to the fact that we are teaching in different schools,it was hard to find suitable time to

sit together and have best discussion over the task given. To overcome this ,I mostly kept in

touch with my colleauges by phone,as well as e-mail too.

Secondly the time constrain that cause minor obstacles. I have to complete this coursework

within a very short period of time. Beside daily teaching life,I need to manage my time for my

family life too. Sometimes I was totally exhausted at the end of the day.

b) Beside those obstacles faced,I realised that there are some valueable lessons that I learnt

while completing this task.

First and fore most,I got the chance to improve my fluency and knowledge in English

Language.I can improve my vocabulary, grammar and even my daily conversations among

friends and people around me.

On the other hand ,the relationship between me and my friends can be strenghten .

Lastly ,the topic itself is able to educate me and my family on the new habit of shopping in

the society.

c) If only I had the chance to re do this coursework I would like to take the chance of doing

more readings and researches with that I need to have extra time to improve the draft or

task given.

Meanwhile,it would be much better if we are allowed to have a look at one of the completed

module as a guide.It can be either in a hardware or software form.

With that ,I would like to convey my greatest thanks and appreciation to all my hardworking and

cooperative colleauges and all the lecturers who make this coursework a great success.

Thank you.

Prepared by : Nor Fazidah binti Abu Talip

Alhamdulillah, thanks to the Almighty for the grace and generosity can we

complete the task English Language Profiency (WAJ 3103) has been granted. Tutorial

first day of this subject can be perceived that the lecturer is a great enough in carrying

out its responsibilities.

Before completing this assignment problems arise, many of these materials is

very difficult to understand because I was not in the teaching options and less fluent

English to speak it. Finally, I consulted with friends in a group to produce this work.

Next time create an assignment, I feel that many things that need to be changed

in me for a successful life as an educator and how to educate students to excel in the

future related to this article. Sometimes, children quickly become bored when we teach

in the class. So, why not we take them out to the mall to create happiness in ourselves.

Having completed this task, I can learn more techniques and strategies to teach

my students according to the theory that had been stated and will apply in the

classroom more effectively. If occasionally the students carried out as to this shopping

center will boost their motivation to learn in an environment of fun. However, it should

be governed solely by the teacher to make the experience gained could be teaching

and learning objectives to be served.

Indeed, this work has provided many benefits to my job as an educator. Thus,

on this occasion I would like to thank Madam Low Swee Peng English Language

Proficiency as a lecturer who has helped in producing this work. Thank you to friends

and family that also contribute ideas for the production of this task.

PREPARED BY: SAMINAH BINTI WARMEN

BILBIOGRAPHY

Black, D. “A Review of Compulsive Buying Disorder.” World Psychiatry. 6:14-18. 2007.

McElroy S, Keck P Jr, Phillips K. “Kleptomania, compulsive buying, and binge-eating disorder.”J Clin Psychiatry. 56 Suppl 4:14-26. 1995

Hawkesdream. (2010) . Shopping!!! A hobby?. Retrieved 2012 March 17 from http://www.web-directories.ws

Jimi. (2011). What is your hobby? Shopping!. Retrieved 2012 March 18 from

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-44176/Why-shopping-fun-going-

fashion.html#ixzz1pfIS3L5d

Heather Hatfield. (2010). Shopping spree or addiction? Retrieved 2012 March 18 from http://educationincultureshock.blogspot.com/2012/01/shopping-isinteresting-to-say-least.html

Peter Markham. (2009). Why shopping for fun may be going out of fashion. Retrieved 2012 March 20 from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/shopping-spree-addiction?page=2