“Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping. “(Bo Derek)

Shopping Bulimia is defined as people who binge and purge new clothing and accessories by ordering them online and then returning most of what they've purchased. Sites like Zappos and Shopbop offer free shipping on returns. Sites like these fuel bulimic shopping.

Commonalities exist between Shopping Bulimia and Bulimia Nervosa. Individuals who struggle with Bulimia Nervosa often exhibit behaviors that are characteristic of this eating disorder, including reoccurring episodes of binging and purging.

While the severity of Bulimia Nervosa is often dependent on the frequency of purging episodes, a person with this illness will commonly binge on abnormally large quantities of food, followed by an attempt to vomit out the food that was eaten.

Shopping Bulimia is an obsession with both shopping and buying behaviors. Many individuals who are dealing with this disorder will impulsively buy several kinds of products that they may never use. It is often the high that comes with purchasing that becomes addictive. Many shopping addicts will continue on this cycle even in the face of adverse consequences.

There are many similar factors that may influence the repetitive behaviors that are seen with both Bulimia Nervosa and Shopping Bulimia. A person who is genetically influenced towards Shopping Bulimia or who may have abnormal levels of neurotransmitters may be more susceptible to developing these disorders, in which highs are sought after.

Other connected factors can also influence the development of these disorders, including the experience of trauma – whether physical, emotional, or psychological, as well as sociological and cultural forces.

Behaviors developed Bulimia Nervosa or with Shopping Bulimia can be an attempt to compensate for something like a poor mood or self-image, the experience of trauma, shame, or guilt. The high that might be experienced with a shopping binge may temporarily improve one’s current state, but the effect rapidly wears off. If you know someone who is a Shopping Bulimic, here are some suggestions that could be just what is needed.

1. Change your environment Our environment plays a huge role in our behavior. If you keep a bowl of fun size chocolate on your desk, it's clear what you will snack on throughout the day. Use the environment to your advantage. It makes no sense for the Shopping Bulimic to be in shopping malls (or online stores). Create "no-fly zones" -- places you can't go such as malls, stores, and other shopping areas.

You want to remove any ambiguity in your rules. If you don't, then in the heat of the moment the Shopping Bulimic will rationalize a way to shop. Make a list of the places you can and cannot go. Eliminate any shopping TV channel watching, and magazines, newspapers, or websites that are problems for you. You want to remove any hints from the environment to shop.

2. Discover the need shopping fills Excessive shopping doesn't serve a functional purpose. It serves a psychological purpose in meeting an unfilled need. For the non-shopaholic, it may look like irrational behavior. The shopaholic is often entirely rational. They shop for a reason. It fulfills a need so they keep doing it. No matter what you do, if you don't find an alternative and healthier way to fill this need, the shopping urge won't fade. So the first step in halting Shopping Bulimia is to identify the psychological need driving it. Does the shopping help you avoid pain?

In other words, do you shop to feel something you don't feel anywhere else throughout the day (a rush, excitement, variety, stimulation, being in control, feeling naughty), or do you shop to avoid feeling something negative such as anxiety loneliness or fear? Determine what part of the shopping provides the reward. Is it going with friends (social)?

Is it being around others (community)? Is it searching for things? Is it feeling significant? Does the shopping create relationship conflicts so you get attention or a sense of connection? It takes an open mind to analyze yourself like this, but it often provides the answer.

3. Get support Kicking an addiction is hard to do alone. Get some help from friends, family or others. Debtors Anonymous is a great resource, and they have groups in cities across the country.

4. Identify the shopping trigger What activates a person's urge to shop -- boredom, guilt, shame, anger? Keep a written journal or an electronic document about what leads to shopping.

5. Replace shopping with something healthier The Shopping Bulimic needs to find a healthier alternative to filling the need. Brainstorm how you could fill this need in other ways. Often you'll find that someone with one addiction will trade it for another addiction. This is not a positive long-term solution. The goal is to trade in a negative and destructive addiction for one that is positive and healthy.

Sometimes it's just not enough to replace shopping with a healthier habit. In this case, figure out what's more important than shopping. What do you value more in life? Whatever it is, you must link how continuing to shop will destroy what you value most. If you value the love from your family and friends, it's easy to see how that you will ruin these relationships if you keep borrowing and spending.

“The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ERV)[i]

[i] Did you realize this verse could also apply to the topic of shopping? This post is dedicated to my younger sister, Kim. This post is not on the topic of “the Joy of Shopping.” I took a little side trip. Did you really expect me to do precisely as you asked? You should know me better than that. I love you.