Shopping addiction also affects men

addiction

Study: Shopping addiction also found in men.

(24.06.2010) Not only women, but also men can succumb to the consumerism, at any rate a study by the working group of Peter Kenning from the "Zeppelin University" in Friedrichshafen. According to researchers, there is a similar addictive behavior of men in buying addiction as in alcohol and nicotine addiction.

To measure brain function functions, male subjects who displayed symptoms of addiction were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging. It turned out that the same mechanisms are used in men, who were also observed in women with a consumerism. The scientists found that potentially gifted men had significantly stronger activity in the brain areas of the reward system. The men responded to certain brands emotionally and the reward expectation was activated.

"With our study, we were able to prove for the first time that shopping addiction is not a pure problem for women, and men are more affected than generally assumed," says study leader Kenning. So far, it has always been assumed that a consumerism is a woman-specific problem.

What is shopping addiction

Buyers show a variety of symptoms. In a shopping addiction, there is an inner compulsion for the constant and repeated purchase of preferably branded goods. There is a loss of control, compulsion to repeat, dose increase and even withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, excessive sweating, inner restlessness to persistent depression. Many shopaholics also have feelings of guilt because they are not in control of buying. The consequences are serious: Many shopaholics are in debt, social contacts and partnerships are breaking up. The transitions of "buying frenzy" and "compulsory purchase" can be fluent.

Shopping addiction usually has other backgrounds. Conflict-rich relationships, a negative self-image and frustration in the workplace can lead to the purchase addiction. The affected seek in constant buying an emotional balance and reward. Self-help group as well as psychotherapy can help most sufferers. (Sb)

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