Depression and impulse buying?

[Bexicle22]

I suffer with anxiety and depression and have done for a very long time. I have never been great with money but I find that when I'm depressed, I will spend. Even if I know I don't have the money to spend or that it's going to leave me short for rent and bills and important things.

Lately I have been having a difficult time coming to terms with an abortion I had. When I've been at my worst, I've started going online and buying things I don't really need. Clothes for my daughter, clothes for myself, make up, things for the house. Mostly I buy food as I find that eating is also a comfort when I'm low. I have two credit cards, I have two different catalogue accounts. I'm in debt to a lot of people but I can't stop spending. I spend money and just deal with the consequences later. I physically can't stop myself from doing it, it's just a go-to when I'm having a bad down day.

Has anyone else ever had this? If so, how did you deal with it?

[Latara]

When I've had this problem with spending I've given my debit card & credit cards to a sensible relative to stop me spending.

[PeppermintCrayon]

It's really good that you've recognised there's a problem, OP. I would strongly recommend counselling - you need to get at the root of why you need to do this.

[djrmrcbhyvf]

its a common part of borderline personality disorder which often accompanies / is mis diagnosed as depression. Could you talk to your GP / CPN and see if there are any other signs? This gives some really helpful information

[yourlovealoneisnotenough]

It's a very common aspect of anxiety, and it goes hand in hand with eating, and other impulsive behaviours.

If you can get your anxiety under control you should be able to gain the headspace you need to develop the ability to pause and take stock when the impulses hit you. And over time the urges will decrease in frequency and strength.

CBT or other counselling, and often medication will help, also stuff like meditation and exercise (particularly slow, calming movement, sometimes fast things like running can exacerbate anxiety). You need to slow your brain down. While your thoughts are driven by anxiety, you'll keep having these urges rolling around in your head, forcing you to act on them in order to just get some peace, temporarily at least.

I feel for you OP, I've definitely been there. A few years ago the two most traumatic events of my life occurred three weeks apart, and I blew through $50,000 in six months as a result. I have got it sorted now, although it's always going to be something haunting the back of my mind.

[NotAJammyDodger]

Yes, yes and yes. Definely another impulse buyer here! It's made worse because I don't even need to leave the house to buy whatever takes my fancy. I love receiving packages .

And then the guilt starts at the cost, and I feel like crap again. It's really bad when I wont leave the house and turn into a vegetable. Then I turn on the TV and all the ads are for debt and loans... .

The only thing that works for me is to get out and do things (which is difficult when you don't want to leave the house). Something I have got into is photography. I can't just go for walks - find it boring. But with a camera in hand looking for good shots, I really enjoy it and upload them to my computer after... And doesn't involve me spending money .

[WanderingTrolley1]

I'm depressed and my spending is getting out of control :(

[FrankTurnersGuitar]

I'm a binge spender too.
Other people I know also do the same and are also binge eaters drinkers, sleepers, agrophobic sometimes, then a switch to party mode.anxiety plays a big part I think.
Addictive personality type stuff, I'm an all or nothing type. Forever starting projects, rarely complete them.
It's like I'm searching for something to hit the spot all the time, not sure what the answer is, not even sure what the spot actually is.

[fastdaytears]

This is definitely me. Bought so much rubbish recently and I just don't understand why I do it.