Summary
Lucy and Natalie, both from the UK, shared their struggles with shopping addiction, a condition where people feel a strong, uncontrollable urge to buy things. Lucy fell into debt and filled her home with clothes, while Natalie collected thousands of items due to her compulsive buying triggered by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Both women highlight the need for better understanding and support for people with shopping addictions.
Key Facts
- Lucy, a 37-year-old from West Yorkshire, used to shop up to 14 hours a day, accumulating a large number of clothes.
- She ended up with £12,000 in debt and had difficulties paying her bills to continue buying clothes.
- Lucy realized her shopping might be an addiction during a therapy session and was diagnosed with oniomania, a compulsive shopping disorder.
- Shopping addiction, also called compulsive buying disorder, is when someone can't resist the urge to shop despite negative effects.
- It is estimated that shopping addiction affects around 5% to possibly 10% of adults.
- Lucy and others are advocating for more research and support for shopping addiction, similar to what exists for substance addiction.
- Natalie, another person affected, has 400 bottles of perfume and 10,000 household items due to compulsive buying triggered by OCD.
- Natalie spends significant amounts of money due to influences like advertisements and online videos, despite undergoing unsuccessful therapy.
