Addiction to shopping, this unknown disorder which affects 450,000 Swiss – Rts.ch

Valeria Huber (pseudonym) is addicted to clothing and cosmetic products. Similarly, It spends around 1000 Swiss francs per month in stores. Furthermore, When something she likes, she finds it difficult to resist: “It’s like an obsession.”

She grew up in a home where fashion was very important. Nevertheless, His father always bought him something to apologize. However, Same child, she hated Sunday because all the stores were closed.

It is like a weight that sticks heavily to the body.

Later, his shopping addiction led him to go into debt. Nevertheless, She had to reimburse a total of addiction shopping, this unknown disorder new 30,000 Swiss francs. Nevertheless, Her family advanced the addiction shopping, this unknown disorder money to her, and she managed to reimburse him.

But the burden remains enormous: “It’s like a weight that sticks heavily to the body”. Similarly, she testifies to the microphone of SRF.

Some 450. Nevertheless, 000 people concerned – Addiction shopping. this unknown disorder – Addiction shopping, this unknown disorder new

According to a survey carried out in 2020 by the Swiss Institute for Research on Public Health and Addictionsaround 5% of the Swiss population suffers from pathological addiction to purchases. This means that around addiction shopping, this unknown disorder new 450,000 people would today be considered as pathological compulsive buyers, “shopaholics”. As a comparison. according to the Federal Office for addiction shopping, this unknown disorder Public Health, up to 300,000 people suffer from alcoholism.

When does shopping become an addiction? Three criteria must be met. explains Renanto POESPODIHARDJO, psychologist at the center of addictions of the psychiatric university clinics of Basel. “The most important criterion is that shopping addiction is still harmful,” he said. The people concerned often have debts or family conflicts.

However, they fail to change their behavior. Their thoughts systematically revolve around shopping: “The people concerned tend to focus excessively on this subject,” explains the expert. They often try to use their addiction to hide negative feelings such as loneliness or sadness.

Shopping, an activity seen as “positive”

Unlike alcoholism or drug addiction, shopping addiction is not officially considered a disease. It is often overlooked, explains Renanto POESPODIHARDJO. This is explained by the fact that in our industrial societies. we usually perceive shopping as a “positive” activity for individuals.

Each year. around 15 people suffering from a pathological addiction addiction shopping. this unknown disorder to purchases are part of the Basel addictions – a relatively low number given the tens of thousands of people concerned. According to Renanto POESPODIHARDJO. it is therefore important to better inform the people concerned about this addiction: “We must tell them that there. is help.” And that this help can make the difference.

Article original: Luca Fuchs (SRF)

French adaptation: Julien Furrer (Rtsinfo)