eNEWSLETTER
November 2007
Our Mission Statement:
"Providing a range of innovative professional services, empowering our clients to positively address issues affecting their lives."
Welcome to the November edition of Clayfield Counselling Services e-newsletter. Debt is extremely common in Australia and with Christmas coming up, it’s very easy to max out those credit cards. For anyone with a compulsive shopping addiction, the idea of shopping for Christmas brings a mixture of elation and dread.
Could you be a compulsive shopper?
Do you shop to cheer yourself up or make yourself feel better? Do you regularly spend more than you earn? Is your spending affecting your relationships? Do you often feel guilty after you spend? Do you find yourself giving away things that you’ve bought to erase the guilt you feel about buying them? Do you often find yourself returning things you’ve bought because you feel guilty about buying them, only to buy something else before you leave the store? Do you hide or lie about your purchases?
If you answered yes to all or even some of these questions, you may have a compulsive shopping addiction.
What is a compulsive shopping addiction?
For people who are addicted to shopping, spending money gives them an emotional high in a similar fashion to people who suffer with bulimia or alcohol addiction. Many compulsive shoppers purchase items to increase their self esteem. Often they buy items they don’t want or need and the feeling of elation they experience when purchasing them is quickly followed by a feeling of depression or guilt so they go and buy something else to soothe the depressive or guilty feelings. So the cycle continues.
How to break the habit
People with a shopping addiction often have a pattern which can be observed. Keep a diary for a week or two and make note of every purchase. At the end of the period look over what items you’ve bought and when you purchased them. Take note of any patterns you can observe and put a plan in place to break the pattern. Destroy your credit cards and only pay with cash. Avoid bargain shops. TV shopping and internet shopping. Find other positive ways to cheer up; exercise, volunteer for a charity, chat with a friend, play with a pet or do something creative.
Compulsive shopping addiction like any other addiction can be very difficult to beat. It can also ruin lives just as much as any other addiction. Debt can spiral out of control very quickly but if you’ve got a compulsive shopping addiction, realise it’s never too late to do something about it. Surround yourself with support from others and don’t hide any longer. Why not take action today and give us a call on (07) 3862 6622? We’ll be pleased to make an appointment for you with one of our qualified counsellors. With the help of your counsellor you’ll be able to address the issues behind your spending and take steps to resolve the issues your debt has already caused in your life.
Some Interesting Links For You
Office hours are from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. After hours and Saturday appointments are available on request.
Until next time then...
“Never spend your money before you have it.”
- Thomas Jefferson
3rd president of USA (1743 – 1826)