Women with this compulsive disorder often have racks of clothes and possessions with the price tags still attached which have never been used. Shoppers will go to a shopping mall with the intention of buying one or two items and come home with bags and bags of purchases. If family or friends begin to complain about their purchases, shoppers will often hide the things they buy. They are often in denial about the problem. Because some people cannot pay their bills, their credit rating suffers.
Collection agencies attempt to get what is owed, causing legal, social and relationship problems.
Make a shopping list and only buy what is on the list. Destroy all credit cards except one to be used for emergencies only. Avoid discount warehouses. Allocate only a certain amount of cash to be spent if you do visit one. Avoid phoning in catalog orders and don't watch TV shopping channels.