What compulsive buying disorder is and how to treat it, according to a specialist

Surely, on more than one occasion, you have heard someone refer to themselves as a “compulsive shopper” after browsing through a series of online offers or spending several hours of their afternoon in a shopping mall. It is common to hear this expression used as a "joke" in reference to occasional excessive spending, such as what might occur during a sale season. However, compulsive buying is a real mental health problem that can have multiple consequences on personal, family, and financial life, to mention only some of the aspects that could be affected. Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) is characterized by the presence of excessive shopping thoughts and behaviors, which cause distress or functional impairment. People with this condition have difficulty controlling their impulses to shop, to the point where symptoms of tension or anxiety may appear before doing so, according to a review published in the scientific journal *World Psychiatry* in 2007. Afterward, once they have shopped, they feel a sense of relief. However, they often subsequently experience feelings of guilt. It is not about "buying a lot" or taking advantage of specific one-time offers, but rather a persistent pattern that generates consequences and distress. So far, CBD has not been included as an independent diagnosis in the main manuals used by therapists, such as the DSM-5 or ICD-11. Nevertheless, compulsive buying is recognized in clinical and research literature. Multiple specialists have warned about its consequences and the need for treatment, while some have proposed specific guidelines to officially classify it in professional manuals. Below you will find what it consists of, what the main symptoms are, and when it is necessary to seek a professional. What compulsive buying disorder is and how to treat it, according to a specialist. Photo: reference. What compulsive buying disorder is and its causes The Dean of the School of Psychology at Adolfo Ibáñez University (UAI) and Doctor in Psychotherapy Research, Claudia Cruzat, tells *La Tercera* that there are two key elements that must be considered: the intention associated with the purchase and the consequences. “A sense of urgency is present, an imperious need to buy in which a feeling of loss of control often exists. This appears repetitively and generates negative consequences. If it causes you family or economic difficulties, if you are hiding it, or if it embarrasses you, for example, we are talking about a psychological problem that requires help.” The specialist states that there is no single cause. Rather, it is a multifactorial phenomenon. “It may be associated with difficulties in emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, impulsivity, stress, a history of trauma, or emotional deficiencies (...) Cultural and environmental factors also play a role: easy access to credit, online shopping, personalized advertising, social media, permanent offers, and very immediate payment systems.” For people with this condition, the object acquired often holds little importance; instead, it is the momentary sensation of satisfaction or filling an emotional void. “The purchase operates as an emotional regulation strategy: the person does it to soothe anguish, emptiness, stress, or insecurity. The problem