by Angela Diggs

Created on: March 05, 2009

Retail therapy is the act of a person coping with their pain or discomfort through shopping. This may seem harmless at face value, but it can be dangerous if left unchecked. It is best if an individual solves the problem as soon as possible. This can be done once a person identifies what and where the discomfort is originating from.

The dangers are listed below.

Excessive Spending

When it comes to retail therapy, a person gets hooked on the high of buying. They feel better temporarily. For a few moments they are able to escape the way they feel. Unfortunately, the feeling doesn't last very long. Excessive spending is the act of over spending. When a person takes part in this act, they risk the health of their finances. It is harmful to the person and others around them. For example, if they have a family, they could put them at risk for economic hardship.

Long Term Debt

In some cases, people who engage in retail therapy charge their credit cards. They go from store to store buying items they can't afford in the first place. When one card runs out, they turn to another and another. This is money that is borrowed. In other cases, a person will max out a card until they can do no more damage. However, the damage is done to their credit score. It is sad to see a small act like this change the direction of a person's finances.

Emptiness

Emptiness can be described as a "void". Some people buy so many items that they begin to feel a sense of emptiness. This may sound strange, but it is true. It has happened to people in my family. They think "things" will bring them joy and fulfillment. In the end, they realize that they need something more. It happens to all of us at one point or another. We are not here for depreciating assets, we have a purpose. When that purpose is not met, the void is present.

Hoarding

Hoarding is defined as the act of excessive storage. However, this term goes deeper than that. A "hoarder" is someone who continues to collect items they don't need. They can never seem to throw anything away because their mind says they need the things to feel safe. It is a complex illness, but it can be dangerous. A person who does this never gets organized and finds peace in "clutter". In some serious cases, people have been killed because of the "junk" in their homes fell on top of them.

Retail therapy is not meant to be used as a solution. It is the wrong method to take. It is best if a person connects with what is bothering them rather than immersing them in shopping. Once a person faces the real issue, they can start shopping with a whole heart.

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