Did you know that one in 20 people in the UK have a Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD) according to a study published by psychologists today in 2006. In the US there an estimated 15 million people with CBD.  You may also be interested to know that men are just as likely to be affected by CBD as women are.  The term 'shopaholic' has evolved from the rising consumer trends of the past 2 decades.  People who are addicted to shopping for the 'buzz' or thrill from the act of buying are deemed to be shopaholics when they are unable to control their habits. 

What are the causes?  A common cause is a condition called Bi-Polar disorder (previously known as manic depression).  Manic episodes can manifest in massive over spending and the desire to do things to the extreme.  If you have noticed any such behavioural traits in yourself or in your loved ones, I would urge you to see your doctor or mental health care professional.  You can also find further help at http://www.bipolaraware.co.uk/ .  Any addiction is typically magnified by stress.  Many people who lead stressful lives attempt to compensate by indulging in compulsive or addictive behaviour.  Shopping often answers a need to be better in some way.  The belief that the next purchase will make life somehow better is very short lived as the shopper discovers that the 'buzz' dissapears very quickly and just like drug addiction, the shopper then seeks to re-create that high again from shopping.   The truth of course is that no ammount of shopping will fill the imaginery gap of inadequacy.  As the problem escalates, people often run up large debts and find that relationships with loved ones begin to deteriorate. 

Hypnotherapy is a very effective way to help sufferers break free from the chains of shopaholic misery.   Therapy helps the sufferer to develop an accute awareness of their habits, and better still, gives them the ability to make a different choice at the critical decision stage. 

There are many addictions that have similar origins to shopping addictions and here are just some of them:-

• Addicted to exercise (Gym Mania)
• Sunbeds (Tanorexia)
• Gambling
• Drug Addiction
• Sex Addiction
• Carbohydrate Addiction
• Cosmetic Surgery
• Collecting/Hoarding

Typically shopaholics might also have other associated addictions or compulsions, usually food related, although they may extend to drugs and alcohol.  The great news is that if you are truly committed to making some changes and have reached a point where you know that enough is enough, then hypnotherapy is a great way to help you gain control over your life and realise that you already have everything you need to be whole and real.