Generally ladies shop till they drop, during sales or festival days. And with the festive season about to descend upon us, they lure, entice and seduce to such an extent that we actually had to coin a new phrase ‘festive binging’. The question is, what is about festivals that makes people, especially women, spend so much? The answer is, today, women have more control over finances than even before. Besides wresting a mean bargain during festivals, it’s the only time when they can indulge themselves and buy things for themselves and their family. And the best part is that they don’t even have to justify their action. Festivals also provide an occasion to show off one’s social status and impress others. Excessive shopping provides that much needed feeling good factor and a thrill of indulging in forbidden fruit. And also exorbitant spending also gave us a feeling of immense power and control.

How addictive is shopping? In my opinion, shopping is a dangerously addictive drug, the craving for which is heightened during festivals. Celebrations often act as incentives for women to splurge, offering almost endless scenarios for enjoyment and self realization. But women should set priorities and not fall into the trap of ‘I’m better than you’. There are also other factors than can lead to compulsive shopping. It may be a result of feeling low or depressed. Compulsive shopping becomes a way to cope with the anxiety, stress and grind of daily, routine life. And women are more prone to such acts than men, as they are emotionally insecure and impulsive. They also have a strong need to impress, and shopping for goodies seems to be right path.

Way out: Compulsive shopping becomes a problem only when the shopper tends to hide his or her purchases. And it can get serious when the individual goes into a denial or when it becomes difficult to pay the bills. Experts prescribe anti-depressives like Prozac, which helps to some extent. Experts use psychotherapy to change the attitude of the patient, but support from the family is very essential.

However, the scenario is not as bleak as it sounds. Festival shopping done in moderation also has its positive effects. It can be therapeutic, and is an easy way to assert self worth; it allows women to connect with each other. So always keep the positive aspect while doing shopping.