Quickie: Why Online Shopping May Be Bad for Your Relationship
As packages pile up, so can relationship problems
Who doesn’t love online shopping? It’s quick, it’s convenient, and in these COVID times, it’s necessary when we’re not able to get to the stores. However, it may also come at a high price: According to marriage counselor and sex therapist Andrew Aaron, LICSW, online shopping can have a negative impact on our relationships.
“Their partners and spouses…have been less thrilled.”
“The ease of shopping and the pleasure of scrolling through millions of items — combined with the increase in which we are in front of our laptops and electronic devices — have all been a boon to Internet shopping. Partners who have compulsive shopping tendencies found that their habit has accelerated because of isolation, staying at home, working remotely, and increased access to electronic devices. Their partners and spouses, especially who manage the finances, have been less thrilled,” he said. “The cost of compulsive shopping is high and routinely drains the bank account for living expenses and future savings. The compulsive nature of the habit makes it resistant to reduction when a partner supplies influence for change.”
“Taking stock of the real size of the problem may be important to determine if professional help…is necessary.”
So what can people who have this problem do about it? Aaron suggests the following recommendations.
“Owning the problem is the first step. Secondly, taking stock of the real size of the problem may be important to determine if professional help and/or medication is necessary. Compulsive issues may be a symptom of a larger anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder,” said Aaron. “If not a major mental health issue, partners need to discuss what is a fair and balanced amount of discretionary spending that can be agreed upon. The compulsive shopping partner will need to use self-control to stay within agreed upon limits while the couple works as a financial team to achieve their dreams.”
More from Kiki Wellington:
