My pdoc told me that my impulsive, obsessive shopping is OCD. I thought so, too, but now I think it’s more of an addiction than OCD. My other OCD features have settled down now that I’m on fluvoxamine, but not the shopping. When I want something and can’t buy it, it’s almost like I have a panic attack. I don’t know if this is OCD, impulse control issues, or addiction.
So first, how do you know if you’re addicted to something?
Second, is impulse control part of sz/sza?
Third, how do you know if it’s OCD? What defines OCD in your opinion?
I was the same way, the thoughts would not stop till I had the item and often I had no desire for the item after that. On abilify, I seem to be much better at fighting it and often question myself if I really need what I want to buy
I don’t know what it is but I always want to buy something. Thought about leaving the house this evening to buy some NAC, pants, a magazine, baseball cap or a number of other items. On past occasions I generally end up with nothing because of indecision on what to buy and lack of money. Hadn’t even thought of it from a psychological perspective before this. OCD? @Mountainman 's first post sounds just like me.
Your shopping behavior may be just one of those or it may be all three of them entwined. One clue to addiction is if a certain behavior interferes with your life. Another clue is that if you can’t stop when you want to.
Think drugs, alcohol, eating etc.
If you consciously keep trying to stop what you are doing time after time but you keep going back to it, then it might be an addiction. If you try to hide from your family the extent of your activities related to shopping that’s a sign. If you are continually trying to hide your behavior and start lying about it to cover up whatever you are abusing, that’s very common in addiction. I don’t know of you work or go to school but if shopping is interfering in those two areas it is a clue you have an addiction.
@Happy_H, The key is you get panic attacks if you can’t afford something. Panic attacks are OCD. If you were manic, you would buy things even if you couldn’t afford them. That’s when you are really in trouble.
I’m not saying you’re addicted. You may be addicted, you may not. I am saying that those are typical behaviors of someone who is addicted to something. There are other criteria of determining if you are addicted or not. Like I said, the reason behind your shopping behavior may be a combination of OCD and addiction. I don’t know if impulse control is part of schizophrenia; I can’t recall anyone saying that though some of our actions may make it seem that way. I hope all this doesn’t confuse you.
Lots of good advice on this thread. I’ve never had a panic attack so I don’t know about the wisdom of what I’m gonna suggest but as a stop gap measure could you temporarily relinquish control of your finances to your significant other?
That fits me, but so do OCD symptoms. I’ve messaged my pdoc and will get her opinion. I asked her what kind of help I need and suggested a medication to see what she thinks.