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Mental health

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Original poster

Excessive buying habits

15 replies

lisa2104 · 19/08/2014 23:05

Ok so I'm probably leaving myself wide open to piss taking here but I was wondering if anyone else buys things excessively? I currently have around 160 shower gels and body wash's all bought within the last three months. And I have about 20 more I really want to buy and can't stop thinking about how to get my hands on them! Before that I used to buy loads of books, candles, baby clothes when I was pregnant, shoes, antique glass bowls. I have always been a bit like that, when I was a child I was obsessed with stationery. It's like I feel I'm missing out if I don't buy everything I see and I struggle with choices and decisions. I had quite a comfortable childhood financially until my dad became ill when I was aged 10 and lost his job and suddenly we had no money. I also have anxiety and OCD.

OP posts:

LastingLight · 20/08/2014 08:04

I wonder if this is a symptom of your OCD, or mania. Are you getting treatment for the anxiety and OCD?

Original poster

lisa2104 · 20/08/2014 09:26

I am on medication and have had treatment. My OCD isn't really that bad though and when I've mentioned the candle buying and that I've been told it's not really a problem.

OP posts:

Original poster

lisa2104 · 20/08/2014 09:26

I am NOT manic btw!

OP posts:

LastingLight · 20/08/2014 09:32

It's bad enough to bother you so I think that some more therapy would be a good idea.

Original poster

lisa2104 · 20/08/2014 09:46

That's my question really. Should it bother me? I suppose it does because we could use the money for other things but I always think I'll just buy these ones and stop. Then I see more. It started because going to the local wilko's meant a walk out for me and my daughter and because there is a boots next to work so I could nip in and treat myself! I do use them though.

OP posts:

mouses · 20/08/2014 09:53

i do the same, tho unfortunately my main problem is animals its like im hypnotised - I get the urge/desire to have a dog, cat, mouse etc and the thought wont leave my head until I HAVE it, it takes over my mind all day, weeks, months. ive been obsessing over finding a rabbit lately and im trying to fight the urge but I know ill cave in. ive already had 3

few years ago I had this idea I wanted to bake, so went on a crazy buying spree spending £200 on cake tins, trays, bowls and ingredients! I had every flour, sugar and spice you could need in my cupboard - but after all that I didn't want to use any of it. it just sat there.

another example is lego for my ds's. I had to order lego everyday, spent hours on ebay searching for the stuff! when it arrived It had to be washed, sorted and not touched because I knew I had some more coming so wasn't finished sorting!

I too am crap with decisions and choices, I normally buy multiple if I cant choose, like tops. id buy the same in different colours. my dd had 8 pairs of shoes at one point cos I couldn't decide which ones were best for her.

mentioned this to gp, psych and counsellor but they don't seem to think its an issue

superstarheartbreaker · 14/09/2014 01:24

I think if you have 160 shower gels then you do need to get it sorted... Sounds like mania. Fwiw I buy too much but mostly different bits and pieces.

Original poster

lisa2104 · 12/02/2015 18:16

I have stopped now btw. Forgot I even wrote this!

OP posts:

Snog · 12/02/2015 21:05

How did you stop?

Original poster

lisa2104 · 12/02/2015 23:32

Realised I had that many that they'd be manky by the time I got to them. Realised that even though it's not much it adds up over the month and I couldn't sustain it.

OP posts:

Snog · 13/02/2015 07:53

Did you start buying something different instead though?

Original poster

lisa2104 · 16/10/2015 21:53

No. I really am getting sick of clutter and I want to enjoy what I do have.

OP posts:

goinggrey1978 · 16/10/2015 22:09

sounds like classic bi polar disorder tbh, have you seen your gp??

boobubsmum · 16/10/2015 22:33

I do this... DH refers to it as my hobbies. I have a cupboard full of wool that I meant to knit things with, and draws and draws of baking stuff that only gets used a couple of times a year (but when I do use it I notice gaps and buy more for weeks) and loads of make up (I've just changed brands because I'm not getting on with that I had and there's hundreds of pounds in make up there) I do totally obsess over stuff we will not talk about Christmas or elf on the shelf but I don't think I have an ocd...

NanaNina · 17/10/2015 19:31

I don't think it's that unusual, and the OP is very clear she isn't manic, so not sure why she posted in Mental Health. 160 bottles of shower stuff does sound excessive though! Boob I love wool too and even though I'm a slow knitter and go off it for months on end (usually start this time of year) I just love all the colours and do go a bit mad. I have not been well and couldn't get out and started ordering wool online and it was only when all the parcels kept coming I thought I'd overdone it.............

Yes I have baking stuff too............and coloured pens, pencils etc as I do adult colouring - again I love the colours and do get a bit carried away with buying the brush pens in all different colours.

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