Confronting Online Shopping Addiction....by GS Kaler 

 Chandigarh: Are you a compulsive shopaholic and feel difficult to resist the urge to buy something online to cope up with negative emotions of stress and fatigue? Do you feel guilty and shameful for excessively spending on buying things that you actually do not need in real life? 

Are you wasting too much of your time in online surfing of shopping websites and e-commerce retail giants like Amazon, Flipkart, etc.? If the answer to all the above questions is affirmative, then, it is time for you to take a pause and read this article urgently.

The proliferation of the internet and social media has led to an increased level of interest in e-commerce and online shopping these days. Everyday, humungous amounts of transactions take place through online shopping platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, eBay, Alibaba, etc. The click of a button on mobile phones has proved to be an easy option for people who want to indulge in shopping by sitting in the comfort of their homes or as they travel far and wide.

 The best part of online shopping is that it can be done by the shoppers without physically visiting the bricks and mortar stores. They can buy their favorite items from any location and at any time of their choice which provides a great degree of flexibility to them in order to make the best use of their time and resources as per their sweet will of convenience. 

Normally, while individuals might feel that their personal shopping behaviour is benign and not harmful, annoying or hurting for anyone, however, it can lead to gross financial strain and major relationship difficulties, especially in those scenarios where both partners have a joint financial account. This could prompt them to resort to deceit, concealing their purchases to avoid confrontation.

The world of online shopping has definitely revolutionized the way in which conventional markets used to operate sometime back in the history of human civilization. However, it has also opened a pandora’s box of problems for those consumers who are unable to resist their compulsive behaviour of indulging in an addictive urge to constantly purchase something online on a regular basis. 

It has been recently observed that many consumers feel terribly addicted to online shopping tendencies as they are continuously flooded with various discount offers and special schemes.

 As a result, many people end up ordering and buying such things online which they actually do not need or require in daily lives. The growth of smartphones in today’s digitally connected society has further fueled the temptation of consumers to engage in excessive online shopping behaviors. 

Also, the onset of corona pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in year 2020 had acted as a great catalyst in propelling people to shun the physical stores and order everything online. Even though the pandemic is long over now but still, the taste of online shopping has remained fresh in people’s mindsets and e-commerce has grown exponentially over the last few years in today’s age of consumerism.

Even though online shopping has its own unique benefits of convenience and accessibility, but an addiction to online shopping, manifested in terms of an uncontrollable urge to do shopping via internet, has several drawbacks such as financial misery, detrimental impact on mental health and a severe damage to personal relationships. 

A person who is addicted to online shopping cannot control his impulse to engage in the act of online shopping despite even being aware of the fact that it is going to have adverse effects on his physical health, emotional well-being and financial stability. The addiction to online shopping provides an addicted individual a chance to engage in compulsive buying behaviour, known as oniomania, which make him/her feel good about themselves and helps them shun off negative feelings like anxiety, shame, depression, loneliness, etc. 

Oniomania originates from the Greek words "onios," denoting "for sale," and "mania," signifying "insanity." Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) is identified by an obsession with shopping and purchasing actions leading to negative outcomes. 

Despite its severe consequences, there is limited medical research on shopping addiction, and it is not currently recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Consequently, it is often not taken seriously and is trivialized in the media, often portrayed as a behavior of affluent fashion-conscious individuals, predominantly female.

Impulse buying refers to spontaneous purchases made without prior planning, often driven by an immediate desire upon encountering a product in a store. It differs slightly from compulsive buying, which is usually more deliberate and serves as a means to alleviate negative emotions. However, individuals struggling with shopping addiction may partake in both forms of addictive purchasing behaviors.

The financial setbacks can be huge if a person does not overcome his addiction to online shopping. It can result in his/her inability to save money, ordering useless stuff and spending carelessly on unnecessary items, defaulting on credit card payments and a severe financial distress of unimaginable proportions reflected in terms of less savings and huge debt.

The excessive online shopping addiction also entails grave psychological and emotional consequences such as low self-esteem, guilt, loneliness, shame, alienation, anxiety, depression and lack of self-worth. 

The person suffering from an addiction to online shopping may feel withdrawn in his/her physical or social interactions in real life, leading to isolated behavior. 

It may also negatively impact his/her careers, relationships, quality of human interactions and the overall functioning of life. Physical ramifications of online shopping addiction involve strain on the eyes, lack of good posture leading to spinal cord problems, back pain, tiredness, insomnia, lack of sufficient sleep, body ache and decreased levels of physical fitness and agility.

 Excessive indulgence in online shopping can also be symptomatic of an underlying mental health condition which warrants necessary diagnosis and treatment by a mental health professional. 

Since shopping is considered as a normal and routine aspect of everyday life, it is difficult to recognize as to when it transforms into an addiction. 

However, there are various telltale signs which can lead us towards the conclusion of labelling if someone has started suffering from an online shopping addiction and requires support and assistance to overcome it. 

Signs of online shopping addiction are as follows-

1) Excessive allocation of time and money to online shopping. Always thinking about what items to purchase. 

2) Struggling to manage the impulse to shop online, despite resulting financial, emotional, or physical difficulties.

3) Dishonesty with friends and family regarding the extent of online shopping activities or hiding purchased items.

4) Neglect of significant responsibilities or obligations to indulge in online shopping.

5) Experiencing feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety associated with online shopping behaviors.

6) Turning to online shopping as a coping mechanism for negative emotions or stress. Purchasing items whenever they are feeling sad.

7) Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability or anxiety, when unable to shop online.

8) Facing relationship conflicts, work-related issues, and financial troubles arising from online shopping.

9) Feeling euphoric after buying something and later on, feeling guilty or regretful about it. Not using the items after purchasing them.

10) Buying items which you do not require and hoarding them. Spending excessive amount of time in surfing online shopping sites.

It needs to be noted that displaying some of the above indicators does not automatically makes a person diagnosed as addicted to online shopping.

 However, when there are multiple signs and the online shopping behavior of a person starts disrupting the functioning of their daily life, then, it seems to be a problematic scenario which calls for an immediate attention and warrants professional medical/psychological help and assistance.

Individuals who find enjoyment and seek relief from negative emotions through shopping often refer to it as ‘retail therapy’. This term suggests that purchasing something for oneself can provide similar benefits to counseling or therapy. 

However, this notion is flawed and counterproductive. Addiction to online shopping falls within the spectrum of internet addiction, with individuals experiencing social anxiety being particularly susceptible to its development. Online shopping doesn't necessitate face-to-face interactions, contributing to its appeal and perceived anonymity.

Treatment for online shopping addiction requires a lot of patience, persistence of approach and empathy on the part of the friends and family members. Along with therapy and medication, there are various self-help strategies which can prove beneficial for individuals to overcome their addiction to online shopping.

A) Therapy : Consulting a therapist or a counsellor can be highly productive as they can help trace the psychological/mental or emotional triggers that led an individual into the trap of addiction to online shopping behaviour. Qualified mental health professionals can employ the use of psychotherapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to assist individuals in reshaping and transforming their thoughts, actions and behaviour patterns associated with addiction to online shopping. Therapy can help in cultivating the right tactics and coping mechanisms to deal with the triggers in an effective manner. By assisting the individuals in recognizing the stimuli behind their addictive tendencies, the therapists can support them in devising effective plans to mitigate or navigate their addictive behaviours in an adept and successful manner.

B) Online Therapy – If an individual finds it cumbersome to attend an in-person therapy, he/she can also opt for a session of online therapy. It can be especially helpful for those individuals who have a highly demanding schedule and find it extremely difficult to squeeze time out of their busy lives. The benefits of an online therapy include convenience of time, confidentiality of information and accessibility of location. In some instances, there can be innumerable options of online therapists to choose from, which can make it highly cost effective for the individual to compare online.  

C) Self-Help Strategies- 

Self-help strategies can prove to be really valuable in managing online shopping addiction. These include imposing personal restrictions on time and expenditure, establishing a budget, seeking out alternative activities or new hobbies to engage the mind for escaping boredom, and participating in money management courses. Deleting shopping apps and removing debit or credit card details from mobile devices can also serve as effective deterrents, preventing automatic completion of payment information during online purchases. A self-analysis of one’s addiction, known as self-introspection of behaviour and actions in terms of asking oneself if I just want a particular product versus if I actually need it, can go a long way in reducing one’s addiction to online shopping. Implement a cooling-off period for all purchases by waiting at least 24 hours before buying. This gives you time to consider if you truly need or can afford the item, preventing impulse buys. Also, opt out of targeted marketing ads in your emails or Whatsapp messages luring you with heavy discounts and shopping festivals from e-commerce giants like Amazon, E-bay, etc. Moreover, try to limit your screen time and avoid distracting websites to overcome addiction to online shopping.

D) Support groups and community help- 

Participating in support groups and community projects tailored for those struggling with online shopping addiction offers a supportive environment and fosters accountability. These groups provide a platform for individuals to share their personal experiences and learn from each other’s struggles in overcoming addiction. Programs such as Shopaholics Anonymous and Debtors Anonymous, following a 12-step approach, can be particularly beneficial in addressing online shopping addiction.

E) Medications-

In many cases, an individual addicted to online shopping may be found to be suffering from mental health conditions like anxiety, depression and loneliness etc. Under such circumstances, the mental health professional might prescribe some medications to deal with it. In order to ensure that the individual’s treatment is successful, durable and long-lasting in an effective manner, it is critically important to take into account the entire history of the individual and then, comprehensively address all the conditions in a holistic manner. 

In summary, despite the convenience and wide selection that online shopping offers, it's essential to acknowledge the possible dangers of addiction. As explored, excessive online shopping can profoundly impact one's finances, emotions, and social life.

 However, by being aware of the warning signs, seeking support from professionals, and employing self-help techniques, individuals can take back control of their shopping behavior and foster healthier lifestyles. It's imperative to practice moderation and mindfulness when engaging in online shopping to maintain balance in today's digitally interconnected society.

April 6, 2024