impulsive shopping habit

[Byelka]

Does anyone know of an online support group for impulsive shopping and debt anxiety? Over the last few years between accumulating debt while I was in school, and anxiety while being home during COVID-19 I've been struggling to pay my bills on time and yet I still keep spending money on things I don't need. I don't even think about it while I'm doing it half the time. I have ADHD and have heard that impulsive spending can be one of the symptoms. I haven't received treatment for my ADHD specifically since I was in high school, my primary focus has been treatment for anxiety and depression. For the most part I know how to manage my ADHD but the impulsivity wasn't something I have really thought about until this year when my debt has gotten difficult to manage. I'm noticing behaviors in myself I hadn't before. Referrals to online support groups for this kind of thing, or tips on managing impulsive behavior much appreciated.

[jonghee]

What medication are you on? And what is your diagnosis. This has happened to me before so I am very familiar with it.

[Byelka in reply to jonghee]

I'm on lexapro for anxiety and depression. I also was diagnosed with ADHD when I was a child but I'm not currently on medication for this.

[jonghee in reply to Byelka]

I see. ADHD can cause compulsive shopping and compulsive behavior in general. I have bipolar and adhd, so I've had this problem and have episodes myself. Proper adhd treatment has made me more in control of compulsive habits and cognizant of my symptoms from everything in general. It could be different for you, as stimulants my cause hypomania or worsen some symptoms from bipolar, but that is a very individual thing and if you have unipolar depression and ADHD, may not apply to you. Feel free to pm if you would like, I have a link to lots of resources to professionals and professional research, and many professionals I have consulted for a second, even third opinion have agreed with my analysis. I don't want to diagnose or lead you to self-diasnosis, but do want to get you on the right track to self-referral so you have a better picture of everything to present to a medical professional. Hope that helps. Take care, stay safe and do keep me updated, whether it's for my reply or telling me about results from someone else's, as I do care and wish I would have had someone to reach out to back in the day. Take care 💌