PSYC 3403 (Addiction) Final Exam Material: Keywords (Imp)
Chapter 9: Compulsive buying, and Prevention, Treatment, and Harm minimization
Learning Objectives: “What is compulsive buying?” Diagnostic criteria, Prevalence
Biopsychosocial perspectives, Consequences. “Prevention of SUD and Addiction” (the
preventure programme)
Shopping has become a common part of everyday life, with increasing rates due to the
accessibility of online shopping. Especially during COVID-19, online shopping has surged in
popularity for its ease and accessibility. However, this convenience can lead to overindulgence
and addiction, highlighting the need for moderation in our shopping habits.
- In 2016, Americans spent over $4.8 trillion on retail purchases alone
- In 2023, Canadians spent $66.5 billion on retail purchases
What is compulsive buying?
Oniomania (Compulsive Buying) : was first described by Emil Kraepelin in 1915 as impulsive
insanity. It involves repetitive or excessive urges to purchase goods, often inexpensive and
useless, regardless of income. Unlike regular shopping, it's characterized by a lack of impulse
control and can lead to functional impairment, affecting relationships and daily activities. While
not officially recognized in the DSM, it's often considered within frameworks like
obsessive-compulsive disorder or behavioral addiction. Faver's research in 1989 suggests that
chronic, repetitive purchasing often stems from negative emotions, with impulse control being a
key factor. The act of purchasing items may temporarily alleviate distress or induce euphoria,
reinforcing the behavior. Typically, compulsive buying behavior is not associated with illegal
acts.
Four Phases of Compulsive Buying: This behavior lacks significant biological components,
and the neurobiology behind it remains largely unknown.
● Anticipation: Thoughts and urges kick in, either fixating on a specific item or simply the
act of shopping.
● Preparation: Research and decision-making occur, such as scouting sales or debating
shopping locations.
● Shopping: The actual shopping happens, often accompanied by a rush of excitement
known as the "thrill of the hunt."
, ● Spending: Purchases are made, sometimes leading to a sense of sadness when the
shopping spree ends and regret over the amount spent sets in.
Clinical Symptoms of CBD :
● Excessive preoccupation with shopping: Constantly thinking about shopping and feeling
a strong urge to shop.
● Poor impulse control: Difficulty controlling the urge to buy things, leading to impulsive
purchases.
● Mood modification: Using shopping to change or improve one's mood,
- Buyers high: Feeling a sense of euphoria or excitement when buying something desired.
- Dampen unpleasant emotions or negative mood: Using shopping as a way to cope with
negative emotions or to escape from them temporarily
● Guilt and remorse in response to shopping: Feeling guilty or regretful after shopping
(especially if there’s Financial Problems - Conflict with others)
● Adverse consequences due to shopping: Experiencing negative outcomes such as
financial difficulties, conflicts in relationships, or etc
● Buying Process: Act of shopping itself
Conceptualizations of Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD): Impulse control disorder (ICD),
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCD), Ridgway et al. (2008) suggested including
CBD on the OCD spectrum due to its similarities with both ICD and OCD. However, CBD's
focus on urges and obsessions makes it distinct from these disorders, so combining ICD and
OCD frameworks may not fully capture CBD's nature
, Diagnostic Criteria for Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD):
A. Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both:
Obsessions are defined by:
1. Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and
unwanted, causing marked anxiety or distress.
2. The individual tries to ignore, suppress, or neutralize these thoughts, urges, or images
through other actions, such as compulsions.
Compulsions are defined by:
1. Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response
to an obsession or rigid rules.
2. The behaviors or mental acts aim to prevent or reduce anxiety/distress or prevent feared
events, however these behaviors or mental acts are not logically connected to neutralizing
or preventing them, or are clearly excessive.
Note: Young children may not fully understand the purpose of these behaviors.
B. The obsession or compulsion are time consuming (more than 1 hr per day) or cause clinically
significant distress which significantly impacts occupational, or other important areas of
functioning.
The Vicious Cycle of OCD:
Chapter 9: Compulsive buying, and Prevention, Treatment, and Harm minimization
Learning Objectives: “What is compulsive buying?” Diagnostic criteria, Prevalence
Biopsychosocial perspectives, Consequences. “Prevention of SUD and Addiction” (the
preventure programme)
Shopping has become a common part of everyday life, with increasing rates due to the
accessibility of online shopping. Especially during COVID-19, online shopping has surged in
popularity for its ease and accessibility. However, this convenience can lead to overindulgence
and addiction, highlighting the need for moderation in our shopping habits.
- In 2016, Americans spent over $4.8 trillion on retail purchases alone
- In 2023, Canadians spent $66.5 billion on retail purchases
What is compulsive buying?
Oniomania (Compulsive Buying) : was first described by Emil Kraepelin in 1915 as impulsive
insanity. It involves repetitive or excessive urges to purchase goods, often inexpensive and
useless, regardless of income. Unlike regular shopping, it's characterized by a lack of impulse
control and can lead to functional impairment, affecting relationships and daily activities. While
not officially recognized in the DSM, it's often considered within frameworks like
obsessive-compulsive disorder or behavioral addiction. Faver's research in 1989 suggests that
chronic, repetitive purchasing often stems from negative emotions, with impulse control being a
key factor. The act of purchasing items may temporarily alleviate distress or induce euphoria,
reinforcing the behavior. Typically, compulsive buying behavior is not associated with illegal
acts.
Four Phases of Compulsive Buying: This behavior lacks significant biological components,
and the neurobiology behind it remains largely unknown.
● Anticipation: Thoughts and urges kick in, either fixating on a specific item or simply the
act of shopping.
● Preparation: Research and decision-making occur, such as scouting sales or debating
shopping locations.
● Shopping: The actual shopping happens, often accompanied by a rush of excitement
known as the "thrill of the hunt."
, ● Spending: Purchases are made, sometimes leading to a sense of sadness when the
shopping spree ends and regret over the amount spent sets in.
Clinical Symptoms of CBD :
● Excessive preoccupation with shopping: Constantly thinking about shopping and feeling
a strong urge to shop.
● Poor impulse control: Difficulty controlling the urge to buy things, leading to impulsive
purchases.
● Mood modification: Using shopping to change or improve one's mood,
- Buyers high: Feeling a sense of euphoria or excitement when buying something desired.
- Dampen unpleasant emotions or negative mood: Using shopping as a way to cope with
negative emotions or to escape from them temporarily
● Guilt and remorse in response to shopping: Feeling guilty or regretful after shopping
(especially if there’s Financial Problems - Conflict with others)
● Adverse consequences due to shopping: Experiencing negative outcomes such as
financial difficulties, conflicts in relationships, or etc
● Buying Process: Act of shopping itself
Conceptualizations of Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD): Impulse control disorder (ICD),
Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCD), Ridgway et al. (2008) suggested including
CBD on the OCD spectrum due to its similarities with both ICD and OCD. However, CBD's
focus on urges and obsessions makes it distinct from these disorders, so combining ICD and
OCD frameworks may not fully capture CBD's nature
, Diagnostic Criteria for Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD):
A. Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both:
Obsessions are defined by:
1. Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and
unwanted, causing marked anxiety or distress.
2. The individual tries to ignore, suppress, or neutralize these thoughts, urges, or images
through other actions, such as compulsions.
Compulsions are defined by:
1. Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels driven to perform in response
to an obsession or rigid rules.
2. The behaviors or mental acts aim to prevent or reduce anxiety/distress or prevent feared
events, however these behaviors or mental acts are not logically connected to neutralizing
or preventing them, or are clearly excessive.
Note: Young children may not fully understand the purpose of these behaviors.
B. The obsession or compulsion are time consuming (more than 1 hr per day) or cause clinically
significant distress which significantly impacts occupational, or other important areas of
functioning.
The Vicious Cycle of OCD:
