Are you a shopaholic or know somebody that is? Shopaholic is a slang term for what psychiatrists and people in the medical field refer to as oniomania or shopalism which means compulsive desire to shop or shopping addiction. Not a disorder just an addiction..If you are like me then you may find it hard to believe that people can actually be addicted to shopping. But in fact it is a serious condition and apparently more than 17 million Americans have it.

Compulsive shopping can ruin peoples lives. It can lead to financial problems like bankruptcy and debt, family conflicts or divorce, loss of self esteem, depression, and stress. These out of control spending habits are linked to materialism, anxiety, and depression. So if you are depressed you may become a shopaholic and if you are a shopaholic you may become depressed. Huh? Yes it is true according to researchers.

Most of the time people are having this shopping problem because of another problem in their life. Just like a drug addict uses drugs ,shopaholics use the excessive shopping as a release when things get to be too much to handle. Or it may help to relax them after a hard day at work. Shopping is something they do to escape from reality. When they are shopping they are happy or become excited. These emotions are only felt when shopping. Many times if the shopper can come to grips with their particular situation whatever it may be and face it head on the problem will go away.

Others will require the use of meds like Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and other like it. Which are also given to people that are depressed or have anxiety problems..

If you buy clothes like your life depends on but never wear them or even cut the tags off or if you are constantly having to make more room in your house, attic and shed for your newly purchased things you may be suffering from this condition.

If you buy things no matter what the cost is or you are letting your urges to shop come before your children, spouse, or other family members.

If all you can think about is shopping.

If shopping is keeping you from going to work.

If you are deciding between paying for a new pair of shoes or your rent.

If you have maxed out your credit cards but everything you bought has never been used and you do not even know where it is or could even find it if you tried.

If you often buy things you do not need or if you didn't mean to buy them.

These are all signs that you or someone you know could be a shopaholic.