My shopping addiction hijacked my life. Now I realise what caused it
Summary
Sally Gardiner became addicted to shopping after her doctor prescribed dopamine agonist drugs to treat her Restless Legs Syndrome. These medications, which increase dopamine in the brain, led to uncontrollable spending and serious financial problems for her and many others. The BBC has collected many similar stories showing how these drugs can cause compulsive behaviors like shopping addiction.Key Facts
- Sally Gardiner is a children’s author who started spending large amounts of money after her book became successful.
- She was prescribed dopamine agonist drugs to treat Restless Legs Syndrome, which causes an urge to move the legs.
- After starting the medication, Sally developed a powerful shopping addiction, accumulating debts and losing over £500,000.
- Dopamine agonist drugs increase dopamine, a brain chemical linked to pleasure and reward.
- Many patients worldwide have reported compulsive behaviors such as excessive spending, gambling, or other addictions linked to these drugs.
- Some people affected by these side effects have faced financial ruin, broken families, and even homelessness.
- Patients and families often did not realize the drugs caused these behaviors until serious harm had occurred.
- Women with these side effects sometimes felt their problems were not taken seriously because of gender bias.
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