Many of us madly overspend now and again, but for oniomania sufferers, this shopping frenzy is no laughing matter

For up to ten per cent of women worldwide, shopping doesn't just lead to a bit of overspending. They're shopaholics - driven to spend far beyond what they need and far beyond what they can afford.

Why does it happen?
Shopaholism - or oniomania as it's called by psychiatrists - is driven by the same kind of motivation that fuels alcoholism or drug use. A woman feels bad - anxious, lonely, worthless, angry or lacking love. So she goes out and buys things - not only to give herself love, but also to prove to the world at large that she's 'worth it'.

Shopping gives her a high - so she does it again... and again... and again. The more expensive the goods she buys, the better she feels; her brain flooding with 'feel good' chemicals.

Very often, though, as soon as she's spent the money, she realises it was a bad idea. Particularly if she's overdrawn, she feels even more anxious, guilty, scared of the consequences, angry with herself. There's only one way out - shop again.

Facing up to it
Does any of this sound familiar? If you suspect that you're a shopaholic, the first step you need to take is to admit it.

So first, audit your budgeting habits - are you spending beyond your means? And check with friends and family - do they feel you are overspending?

The way out - short-term solutions

• When shopping, make a list of what you need and buy only that.
• Pay with cash - don't use cards or cheques. Take out with you only the money you will need during the day, no more.
• Destroy all your credit cards except an emergency one that you ask a friend to hold for you.

• What pain in your life are you trying to dull by overspending? To recover, you need to cure that pain. List out all the problems you think are driving you to shop - work issues, relationship crises - then tackle them one by one.
• If your pain is deeper - low self-esteem, loneliness, depression - then dig deeper. How can you change the way you think and feel about these issues so that you can get them sorted, once and for all.
• A counsellor can help you resolve past issues that may be causing you pain in the here and now. Particularly if you think that childhood events are triggering your emotional pain, get professional help.
• Recently, doctors have found that some antidepressant drugs used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder are also useful for shopping addiction.

The way out - resources

• Ring the National Debtline 0808 808 4000.
• Find a counsellor: BACP has a list of counsellors practising in your area.
• See your GP.
• The Samaritans are available 24/7 on 08457 909090.