How Can I Avoid Compulsive Shopping?

Compulsive shopping is generally a sign of another emotional issue; we use shopping to regulate our emotions when we are feeling out of control. Watch psychologist Jennifer Hartstein, PsyD, explain some practical tips to avoid compulsive shopping.

Transcript

00:00

Well, compulsive shopping is generally a sign of something else. So if we want to avoid it, we really have to take the time to figure out why we are doing it.

00:08

We tend to compulsively shop as a way to regulate our emotions. So why are we feeling so dis-regulated? Why are we feeling so out of control

00:15

that the only way to feel ourselves more in control is to shop? How can we distract ourselves in a different way? Can you put it off for an hour and see

00:22

if your emotions decrease and you feel more in control? Can you ask somebody for help or to go with you when you shop so that you don't overspend

00:29

or over indulge yourself. So there's little tricks to be more mindful of the emotion behind the reason they are shopping.