Addiction to online shopping is ‘medical condition’

Psychiatrists have called for addiction to online shopping to be recognised as a mental-health condition.

In a study published in the journal Comprehensive Psychiatry, researchers from Hannover Medical School in Germany claim that about five per cent of adults in developed countries – more than 2.5 million Britons - suffer from buying-shopping disorder (BSD).

Around a third of patients who had sought treatment showed signs of being addicted to shopping. The study links it to a “higher severity” of anxiety and depression, saying compulsive purchasing is “primarily used to regulate emotions, for example to get pleasure or relief from negative feelings”.

It says the rise of online shopping has made the problem worse because the internet provides increased “availability, anonymity, accessibility, and affordability”.

Signs of being addicted include rising debt, hiding purchases from family members, and breakdowns in relationships.

However, some experts disagree with the report’s findings. Dr Richard James, a psychology professor at the University of Nottingham, said there is a danger of researchers being “over-zealous” in classifying behaviour as addictions. He said this shouldn’t be done “without a lot of thought”.

The World Health Organisation classifies some forms of addiction as a medical condition, including video-game addiction, but not online shopping. In November, the NHS opened a clinic in London to treat young people addicted to computer games.

Do you think addiction to online shopping is a medical condition? Let us know: letters@computeractive. co.uk