Shopping and Depression
It’s called retail therapy, and many middle class folk use that expression to justify their shopping for things that they may want but do not need. However, there is a more insidious effect in shopping for the many people in this country who suffer with some form of light to moderate depression. People are shopping for things that they cannot afford, in an attempt to feel better about themselves.
In a recent article in the Telegraph, they report that The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, has called for retailers and financial institutions to implement a 24 hour cooling off period for online purchases. This cooling off period would apply to expensive and luxury items.
It is a sad truth that many people identify owning things as being not only a status symbol, but also as being a sense of worth and value as a human being. Whilst, of course, it is true that many people experience an endorphin hit when shopping, there is often a come down after “cooler heads” prevail and a person assesses how much the shopping has const them and that the purchases really only make them feel better for a relatively short period of time.
Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy can often help people get to the core of their issues when it comes to self esteem and self worth, and for many it would be a far better investment than the latest gadget or expensive watch.
