Posted by rainyday on March 5, 2004, at 7:15:33
In reply to Do I have a problem with this?, posted by tinydancer on March 5, 2004, at 4:21:36
> The thing is, this does goes in swing. Some periods can be worse than others, and I definitley see this particular period as being a bad one, but then I can suddenly stop. I don't really know how to identify if I have a problem. If I do, I also don't know if I can or want to stop, because I don't feel like I have any other outlet to dull the pain. (I guess this is the current form of self injury for me.)
>
> Anyone who can relate to this? Thoughts? Advice?Yes indeed. I don't always see it coming and what starts out as "shopping therapy" becomes a bunch of empty expensive purchases that don't make you feel better at all. I don't carry a cheque book with me. No debit cards, cash only. I only go to the robot bank once a week. I don't even buy groceries unless I have a list so I don't come home with chocolate coated caviar. Do I think I have a problem? Sure - it's what I call an inappropriate coping response. But I am so ashamed of it that I put all these restrictions around me so I make it hard to mess up. It has pretty much eliminated the impulse shopper in me. I get miserable longing for all the things I *think* would make me feel better, even though I know full well the gratification is a lie.
What my T suggested I do is before I go to sleep to make a list of what I have to be thankful for that day. That does help to reinforce what truly makes you happy and grateful. It can improve a really rotten day. Don't know if this helps or makes you want to lend me money!!!
poster:rainyday
thread:320525
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040303/msgs/320543.html