Compulsive Shopping and ADD

People with ADD often have problems with finances because they continuously spend more than they should. Shopping may be used as a way to deal with depression, anxiety or to create some excitement or stimulation in your life. However, like other addictions, the "high" rarely lasts long and generally makes you feel worse as your finances deteriorate and debt mounts. After shopping, you feel guilty and ashamed that once again you have lost control.

Individuals with ADD are particularly vulnerable to compulsive shopping because their impulsivity makes it hard for them to think through the purchase -- often buying items that they do not need. I remember one man with ADD whose living room was filled with bags of mulch and a table saw and he lived in an apartment!

Do you find that you shop to feel better? Do you go shopping with the intention of buying one or two items and return with bags full of purchases? Do you have bad credit or serious financial problems because of your spending habits? Do you need to take an extra job just to pay the bills that result from your spending?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, try these ADD- Friendly ways to deal with your compulsive shopping or spending: