America’s shopping addiction 

Insatiable spending is a staple of the American culture. As black friday and the holidays come around, capitalism has never thrived more off consumers. This constant shopping , while it can be a relieving experience now and then, often leads to addiction. Retail therapy is an emotionally fulfilling habit, but this coping mechanism has no productive results and often branches into more turbulence than sought to fix.

Like comfort eating, buyers find relief and improved mood in compulsively consuming materials during periods of stress or depression . However, this differs from typical grocery or leisure shopping as the afflicted impulsively buys after an emotional trigger. Dopamine succumbs the shopper into desiring more and fulfilling that temporary euphoria. This also occurs before purchasing an item, such as window shopping.

“I believe people do retail therapy to make themselves feel better,” freshman Imani Jonathas said. “It’s good to do it once in a while, but not all the time because it can lead to addiction.”

There are various ways people seek to fill the void in their lives. While retail therapy may be one of the less extreme copes, it does not productively solve issues. It often begins as a therapeutic alternative to professional help but switches into something problematic once it becomes the first option for dealing with stress, anxiety, or loss. Although shopping provides happiness, others believe it can be excessive.

“I know there are cheaper and more pragmatic ways to get therapy,” sophomore Gabrielle Binns said.

Shopaholics have trouble maintaining impulse and behavior control during turmoil and disorganization. This lack of control is restored through compulsive shopping when everything else is in chaos. It provides the buyer with a distraction from daily life.

“I guess if they are interested in fashion, it gives them a sense of peace and control,” said Binns.

Items are manufactured and tailored to the demographic their advertisers pander to. Indulging in temptation is only human and unproblematic in moderation. However, converting that yearning for control into excitement toward a positive behavior does more than what feeding into materialistic desires will ever do. Alternatives exist that reinforce lost joy and stability that impulsive shopping cannot give back.

Written by Mackenzie Cobbler  | Graphic Designed by Mackenzie Cobbler

Published December 12, 2022 | ePathfinder | Feature