manic spending and debt

summerstreetallotments

...This is me, I have become a manic shopper over the last few years...was diagnosed as Severely depressed some years ago...but have developed this manic tendency since...last week I bought 14 bath gift sets off ebay ...dont want or need these really...have just donated them to the womens refuge...thing is I spent £97.00 on them...and keep buying gardening supplies, cant resist it...if I've got a moment to myself I'm on the internet ordering stuff...have just erased my credit cards form ebay and amazon...thing is I can remember the numbers ......just need to find another way of getting through the day...house is dangerously overcrowded with stuff that I've bought....I know that this is a form of mental illness but I haven't been to the doctor about it...sounds pathetic ...and as if it's an excuse....will take me several years to clear the debts I think
x:eek::o

maskerade

I used to do this... I assume you've cut all your cards up?

Firstly - if you do buy anything try and return it or sell it on ebay - don't just give it away. Giving it is a nice idea if you've accidentally bought one extra thing but not when you're compulsively buying loads. Spend a few days listing and selling everything you have that you don't need.

Go back to your doctor and get help. I got CBT on the NHS. It did take a while to get the service but my GP helped me a lot in the mean time.

tryingveryhard_2

Hi Summerstreetsallotments

You mention that you have been severely depressed in the past - sometimes compulsive spending on things you don't need (such as your many bath sets) can be a sign of bipolar disorder, and being in a manic phase. Do you think that might be the case? If it is, then the spending is one of the symptoms and as such is very hard to control without help. Don't beat yourself up about what you have spent already, but I would go to your doctor as that might be the first step to controlling this.

Good luck with it xx

Yargo1

Hi. as the other posters have said, go back to the doctors and see what they can suggest, sounds like bipolar or similar. take care x

summerstreetallotments

....Thanks everyone, I will see the doctor...

Hannah_10

Good summerstreets, it's the right thing to do. We will give you as much help as we can with your debt problem in a little while when you've got the spending under control. As the spending might be connected to mania then the Dr is totally the right place to start and I'm really glad you're going to go. A brighter future does await, especially by doing things in the right order like seeing the Dr and getting the compulsive shopping thing under control.

Snowy_Owl

can you try selling some of the stuff on ebay instead of buying?

cloudcuckooland_3

Dear summerstreetsallotments,

Thanks for posting - then the rest of us with the same problem feel a bit braver... If the doc advises medication then take it and think about coming back here for advice about what else to do apart from shopping.
My big advice would be - don't beat yourself up - take time to put plans in place. Do small steps if you don't feel up to anything else. If it helps, try to think about today and tomorrow, but maybe not much further.

Wishing you all the bestxx

summerstreetallotments

Thanks for all your help...re. selling on ebay...I'd have to get a digital camera to do this...and had better not buy one at the moment,

yes...obviously am aware of mental health problems but very scared as I have no support networks to help me...no family other than my partner and son...no friends etc...this is why I've spent so much I feel I have to provide everything for the family...i.e. at Christmas I've always bought my son A LOT as there's no one else to get him anyything...and when our house was destroyed by fire some years ago we had to go on Debt Management then and it was terrible...only just enough to eat on and no money for anything else at all..if a lightbulb went we had to go without light etc. ...I think the amounts they let you have now are better....but I am worried, my partner is very angry and isn't prepared to cut back at all as he says it's all my fault (although he has quite happily eaten the expensive dishes from Waitrose)....also...I am still spending even though I've spoken to C.C.S...something always seems to come up hat needs replacing....

clemmatis

Hi summerstreet

your local MIND may have support groups, also there's Depression Alliance and the MDF (for people with bipolar, if you're diagnosed with it)

Depression Alliance seems to offer various support schemes


http://www.depressionalliance.org/how-we-can-help/


(and of course there's this forum!)

edit. Sorry your partner doesn't understand.

secretshopper75

Summerstreet, what about leaving the laptop open on MSE so your partner can get some good ideas, that way he'll think he's come up with them and will hopefully take them on board..