FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Shopping addiction – it’s real, and damaging.
People may joke about it – but a shopping addiction is actually an impulse control disorder.
Like compulsive video gaming, internet use, pornography, stealing and sex – compulsive shopping is a situation where the behavior controls you rather than you control the behavior.
Shopping addiction usually comes hand in hand with other addictive behaviors, like substance abuse or gambling, and can result in bankruptcy and take a toll on relationships.
Despite the stereotype of the female shop-a-holic, the addiction isn’t gender-specific, and about 5% of the population suffers, according to Dr. Ronald Fraser, the head of Inpatient Detoxification Services at the MUHC Addictions Unit.
For millions of Americans, the ease of online and mobile shopping has only made the problem worse.
