Abstract: With the increase of e-commerce, online shopping has become the preferred method of shopping for many individuals. However, new ways of living also means the onset of new disorders such as compulsive buying disorder (CB). A form of compulsive-obsessive disorder, online shopping at extreme levels is a compulsive act that requires its own treatment strategies, most notably Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI). Other comorbid disorders include depression and anxiety in which buying material goods and services online can provide instant gratification. Low self-esteem has also been associated with CB as addicts recognize their problem but struggle to control their behavior. CBI, which is a group therapy form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, provides patients with accountability and feedback with logical explanations needed to help control their behavior. One major tragedy of CB is the exorbitant amount of money spent to keep up with their addiction which can act as a stressor in family dynamics. As online shopping addiction has increased around the world, researchers in China have created internet-based interventions through an ES system that records how long an individual spent online along with pertinent statistical information related to sites often visited. This literature review paper will take a closer look at the onset of CB and online shopping addiction as well as the reasons behind why CBI is considered a successful treatment method for CB.
Keywords: Compulsive buying disorder, online shopping addiction, mental health and online shopping, treatments for compulsive buying, cognitive behavioral intervention, Internet-based intervention.
Title: Understanding Compulsive Buying Disorder and New Treatment Methods for Online Shopping Addiction
Author: Christopher Im
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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