Compulsive Buying is a Health Problem

Excessive worry, loss of control over the act of buying; progressive increase in the volume of purchases; frustrated attempts to reduce or control purchases; buying to cope with anguish or other negative emotions; lies to cover up the lack of control with purchases; losses in social, professional, and family spheres; financial problems. These are the main characteristics of individuals who exhibit compulsive buying disorder – oniomania, a word derived from the Greek oné (the purchase, the acquisition) and manía (insanity, fury). According to psychologist Tatiana Filomensky from the Faculty of Medicine at USP, it is estimated that the majority of patients are women. What drives a person to buy compulsively, the psychologist highlights, is that often the act of buying serves as a remedy for anguish and depression, awakening in people a sense of well-being, pleasure, and satisfaction. For the compulsive buyer, this is much more. They seek this satisfaction much more frequently because they cannot achieve it in any other way. Many say they buy to fill a void. Compulsive buying was only considered a disease recently, in the 1980s. There are no studies that prove the causes of this disease, but there are some possibilities. One of them is related to the behavioral history of the individual’s family. “It is very common to find, in the families of compulsive buyers, people with problems related to gambling, drinking, and sex,” says the psychologist. Another factor is linked to genetics. Research suggests that people with alterations in an enzyme called Mao-a have a heightened system of gratification and reward. These are individuals always in search of a more intense feeling of gratification that never comes. Regarding the subjective issue, they are emotionally weaker individuals who seek externally – that is, in consumption, clothing, and the way they present themselves to others – forces or elements that showcase and value their characteristics. Regarding the social issue, Tatiana states that we live in a society that overvalues the use of credit cards. “We have a culture of credit card use that is increasingly widespread, especially in developing countries, as well as the unrestrained encouragement of consumption. Our entire life is based on consumption.” Tatiana reminds us that often people are very depressed and anxious and need medication to assist in the treatment process. The psychologist emphasizes that it is the professionals’ responsibility to address not only emotional issues but also financial ones. The disease has no cure, but what is important, for the psychologist, is to try to “re-signify” the compulsive behavior, showing other ways for the person to obtain rewards and feel loved. Tatiana explains that it is not enough to simply tell the person to never buy again. “We have to teach them to understand when it is a compulsive purchase and when it is normal.”Source: Jornal da USP, by Izabel Leão