Compulsive Behavior

[FoxyJama]

I know some people eat obsessively when they're depressed or stressed. I get so stressed I can't even *think* about eating, but I shop. A lot. Heaven forbid I go into a CD or gaming store when I'm depressed, or I'll walk out with an empty bank account. Which, of course, makes me stress about money... and it's an endless cycle. Does anyone have tips for dealing with compulsive stress related behavior? I've put my credit cards under lock and key until this phase passes, but I went out shopping with my mother yesterday and thought of another 20 things I need to buy for our new house. I know stress and the relief I feel when shopping has something to do with dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia of my brain, and I'm generally quite frugal with my money on a day to day basis. Knowing this I should be able to deal with this in an adult, rational manner; But I stress and all I can do to self-regulate my shopping is to hit up garage sales or dollar stores where I know I'm not going to spend more than the $20 I keep in my wallet.

I've been told I should deal with the source of the stress rather than the symptoms, but short of smothering my husband in his sleep, I don't think that's really an option at the moment.

[Mire]

Foxy, I have/had that same problem since as long as I can remember.

I have spent so much money on needless things that when I get in that mood and I am sitting in my house looking at an entire book shelf of games I played maybe 30 minutes of makes it worse.

What I started to do two years ago when I felt that mood comming on was start giving the money I was about to spend to a charity. It didn't matter what charity, I looked one up on the web, and sent a check. This instantly gave me that "good feeling" and broke that road of depression quickly.

It is very hard to start getting down on your life or situation when you start to read about all the millions of people out in this world who do not have even the simplest luxuries as food, clothing, utilities and stuff we take for granted each and every day.

[Jugsmalone]

OMG honey belive me i have accumulated a entire house full of junk i didnt need but i bought it anyway i didnt want to pass up the deal sooooo hear goes my soulution and hope fully yours ..... you are wanting to redo you house redecorate dont go shoping helll no stay home get out some of that old junk and redo it use acrylic paints and re buff some old pots and put artificial flowers in them make a center piece ,,,,, recover a chair with some leather and a staple gun.... make lables and cover some coffe cans or paint and decorate them for storage...but dont go near a store... yard sales are ok if you only buy things you knw you willuse and weekends you sell all that useless junk you got and dont use than and only than do you go to the mall with only the money you made from the yard sale of useless crap you got in the past.... belive me it works you begin getting good at fixing up things to make new ones even sell some stuff at the yard sales that you make but when you make it your self and some one say ohhhh gosh i love this and you tell them you made it the gratification is far more than buying that wall hanging for 40 bucks try it i hope it works for you

[epiphonic]

another option: go talk to a psychologist (as opposed to a psychiatrist)
though he cant perscribe, he can get all the details about your compulsion, if you think its serious enough. if he thinks theres an OCD medication that might help you out, he can call your family doctor and see if he/she will perscribe.

Just an idea, theres a pill for everthing

[Jugsmalone]

ohhhhhhh a pil for everthing well than i want a pilli can create more money in my purse....... now thats a pill i could take for sure