Has anyone been successfully 'treated' for compulsive spending?

freshcotton

Iv certainly been there myself! Kept spending money no end and not checking my bank balance. My wake up call was the absolute shame when my card was declined after having a meal with a friend. This was years ago.

Anyway, for me it was a form of obsession and I do have an obsessive personality.

I just became determined to paying off my debt and saving, and reaching these goals have been my 'fix'.

You will be fine. Instead of thinking about what to buy, think and research ways to save money

Gypsy_Jean_14

It may be worth considering the possibility that you could have ADHD, that can cause impulsive behaviour and reckless spending. I have just been diagnosed aged 35! Read up, it is easy to treat and surprisingly common, not what you'd think from the stereotypes.

Good luck x

Money_Rollercoaster

Thanks Gypsy Jean ... I just read a little blurb on the NHS site. Sure, some of those adult traits are familiar and it does say that you might actually have one or more disorders. I guess I'll just put that thought to the back of my mind at the moment, at least until I've made that first step getting some sort of help.


freshcotton - yes, that obsessiveness is very hard to counteract. The DVD purchasing / collecting was an example of totally irrational collecting / hoarding. I have probably 1 or 2 evenings a week where I might get a chance to sit and watch a movie or a TV series without anything going on, but yet I was buying things I already had on a slightly different version and hadn't probably watched more than once anyway. I hesitate to use the word CRAZY, but I really was doing a good impression of being utterly derailed.


On the flip side, I perhaps spend too much time thinking about my money and balances now ... aaargh!

TiddlyPom

There is light at the end of the tunnel. I was a compulsive spender, buying things with no thought of whether it was the last of my money and I had to pay the rent the next day. I once set myself a challenge of,buying 31 things from eBay in a 31 day month, I.e. One a day. Madness!
I was thousands in debt and full of fear and anxiety about bills coming in and not being able to pay them.
I developed a friendship with a lass who is very frugal but not tight and she used to question my purchases in a way that I "heard" her and was eventually able to see for myself how destructive my behaviour was. Two years on, I have no debts and several thousands in savings but I am still trying to de-clutter from my life all the detritus I bought in that period.

I still slip up,every so often but it doesn't have the sort of financial impact it used to. The joy of being able to do things like pay my car insurance in one go rather than instalments is huge! I now have too much fear of returning to the anxiety I lived with every time a bill came in. It's no way to love.

Whilst this doesn't directly help you, I hope it can make you see that although it may feel impossible to change, it is possible and the rewards are great.
Good luck.

Sazzie23

Hi

I am a self confessed over spender, under earner and I subscribe to the debters-anonymous site. Now being a compulsive debtor is slightly different to be an over spender, however the outcomes and tools used for recovery van both be helpful.

For me I still get that little thrill at the sound of 'interest free credit' or 0% finance (not that anyone would give me credit these days.

Debtors anon has shown me that I need to avoid the vagueness of not knowing my account balances, understanding my expenditure limitations and realising that I am powerless over this, and need to continually seek help.

I use don't -debt on line support as there are no meetings near me.

Saz

Money_Savvy_Saver

Hi, I'm a psychologist with 10 years experience within the NHS. As some previous posters have already mentioned, your compulsive spending may be a symptoms of another underlying issue which needs to be resolved (especially given what you say about feeling manic or depressed at times). It sounds like it would be important for you to speak to your GP about this and ask for a referral for an assessment. Your GP can consider a referral to your local IAPT service or secondary care service (depending on what they feel would be most appropriate). There is nothing wrong with asking for this help and although it can feel a little scary at first please think about the longer-term benefits rather than focusing on the short-term distress. CBT may be a good option for you and you can access this through the NHS. An assessment with a professional will be able to provide with you with a clearer understanding of what may be going on for you and hopefully enable you to access the support you will find most helpful. Good luck with it.

Money_Rollercoaster

Thank you TiddlyPom and Sazzie123. It's good to get some feedback from people who recognise the challenges we face. Onward and upward, eh? Interesting to know that those 0% deals still get you ... I have to admit that they are an enticement to do BAD things, but on the flip side, they have been a life line in getting my finances a bit more square.


Money Savvy Saver ... that sounds like sound advice. Maybe when I've got 1/2 term and everything out of the way I might be brave and make that call. You know what it's like though ... to get the appointment with the Doctor, you've got to get past the Receptionist!