JEDDAH, 11 August 2005 — Shopping is a recipe for fun, and potentially a major psychological hazard that the public is unaware of. Many young girls in the Kingdom engage in shopping activities during vacation seasons to keep themselves entertained, and escape the “bored” state of mind, resulting in their destructive addiction.
“I do not wish to be possessed by my possessions,” said Jean-Paul Sartre in an interview to a magazine some decades ago; with compulsive shoppers — shopaholics — it seems there is little choice in the matter.
“About 90 percent of compulsive shoppers are female,” said Dr. Ronald Faber, to reporters from Psychology Today.
“The inescapable fact is that nature gave us the ability to become hooked because the brain has evolved a reward system, just as it has a pain system,” says physiologist and pharmacologist Steven Childers, Ph.D., of Bowman Gray School of Medicine in North Carolina.
The brain’s reward system in the case of compulsive buying is the boost of self-esteem. Self-esteem may influence the buyer’s choice of purchase, as female shoppers usually return home with clothing, shoes, makeup, or jewelry; all of which are used as items to enhance appearance.
All female shoppers Arab News contacted in Jeddah admitted to buying makeup, clothes, shoes, jewelry, bags to enhance their looks.
Shopaholics are like people with eating disorders. Compulsive shoppers have high anxiety disorders, are impulsive and have low self-esteem.
Compulsive shoppers are treated as patients who suffer from anxiety disorders. Research conducted by psychologists in the US said that an imbalance of the neurotransmitter serotonin could play a role. Some compulsive shoppers who were treated with Prozac — a medication that regulates serotonin levels in the body — stopped over shopping. Once treatment ended however, they returned to their addiction.
Most girls between the ages 13 and 30 feel that they do not have “anything better to do with their time other than shop,” as two girls aged 20 put it.
Ten girls Arab News talked to were asked what they do during vacation seasons to keep themselves entertained, shopping was among the things all of them mentioned. Ninety percent actually shop twice a week, and spend at least SR400, some reaching SR3,000.
All girls contacted said that if there were alternative activities for women in Jeddah other than shopping, then they would definitely prefer them. Activities they wish were easily accessed are: Beach resorts where they could swim comfortably, outdoor and indoor sport.
It is normal for girls to enjoy a reasonable amount of shopping. The situation we have in Jeddah, and doubtless elsewhere in the Kingdom, where girls refer to shopping as a last resort for entertainment, leads to worrying psychological implications that the public is unaware of.
