We all feel the urge to splurge now and then, whether it’s on the latest iPhone, a coffee from Starbucks, or a cute clothing item.
There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself once in a while, but for some people, the desire to shop can no longer be satisfied by just the occasional impulse buy.
And left unchecked, a love for Shopping can just as quickly turn into an unhealthy addiction, compelling shoppers to spend beyond their means.
A woman named Lana Saint Clair (@lanasaintclair) is opening up on TikTok about her Shopping Addiction, shedding light on a topic that is rarely discussed.
Now, she’s on the road to recovery, and by documenting her journey on social media, she’s helping others out there recognize the signs of a budding shopping addiction. There are four main stages that a shopping addict goes through.
The first is the feeling of anticipation. An addict may have ‘obsessive thoughts or preoccupation with having a specific item or with the act of shopping.’
“Personally, I spend one to three hours every day thinking about shopping and then beating those thoughts down with a very large stick,” Lana admits.
The second stage involves preparation for shopping. Before embarking on a big shopping trip, a compulsive spender will establish where they plan to shop, which credit cards to use, and what to wear to the stores.
At the height of her shopping addiction, Lana consistently wore old pajamas out to the store because she was unable to get dressed without going shopping first.
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Stage three is when the actual act of shopping is performed. During this phase, the shopper will often feel intense excitement at being surrounded by colorful, new, and shiny things.
“Being in the presence of so many textures and colors triggers the dopamine circuits in my brain, which further reinforces my shopping addiction,” said Lana.
The fourth and final stage is spending. After swiping their credit cards and completing a purchase, addicts may feel a sudden drop in their mood, along with feelings of guilt and remorse. Then, the cycle repeats itself all over again, starting back at stage one.
Compulsive shopping is about much more than a simple bad habit. Recognizing the signs of an addicted person is an important stepping stone toward helping them recover from their condition.
@lanasaintclair Replying to @brennahunt3 The 4 Stages of a Shopping Addiction #shoppingaddict #hoarder #fyp?
? original sound – Lana Saint Clair
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