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him solve his problems himself. Which form of behavioural therapy is used always depends on the training of the therapist. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the most common form of therapy. This is based on the assumption that problem-solving strategies have been learned wrongly, that wrong assumptions are made, and that the wrong conclusions for further behaviour are drawn from this. The aim of behavioural therapy is therefore to learn new problem-solving strategies in order to be able to cope with one's own life independently again in the long term.

      In fact, behavioural therapy is a very important step for severely affected people. The deeper psychological problems, which have led to shopping addiction in the first place, can be specifically addressed and dealt with. The goal is that at some point an inner peace with one's own psychological deficits will emerge and the acceptance that problems exist, but that they can be overcome. The aforementioned conflict with the inner child can also be an issue in psychotherapy. It is highly likely that these conflicts will be discussed with the therapist when researching the causes and that the therapist will help those affected to come to terms with these early childhood experiences.

      In the next step, behavioural therapy will focus on purchasing behaviour and develop an awareness of purchasing. This includes, among other things, weighing up the reasons for or against purchasing and thus avoiding unnecessary purchases. In addition, attempts are made to make one's own behaviour more transparent and to reflect on oneself. This means that the question must be asked "When do I feel the urge to go shopping? Once it is clear to the affected person in which situations he would like to go shopping in order to compensate for something, a therapist can be used exactly at this point. Once this awareness has occurred, strategies can be learned to deal with these stressful situations and not give in to the urge to buy.

      The University of Erlangen has developed a therapy programme specially designed for people with shopping addictions, the effectiveness of which has been proven in studies. 50% of those affected could be cured of shopping addiction in the long term and did not relapse. The therapy is based on the assumption that the pathological buying behaviour has a disturbance in impulse control. Patients must therefore learn to understand and reflect on their behaviour. Once this has been done, the next step is to redirect. This can be, for example, sport or a particular hobby that is practised until the urge to buy something has evaporated.

      Those who have focused on material reward in the past must learn to reward themselves in other ways. This can happen, for example, through sport, hobbies or some other form of self-employment.

      Behavioural therapy can take place individually or be organised as group therapy. Individual discussions have the advantage over group discussions that individual problems can be better dealt with. Especially at the beginning of a therapy it is difficult for those affected to open themselves up to a stranger. In an individual therapy, the affected person is only forced to open up to the therapist, which can be a relief for many people due to shame about their problems.

      In therapy, the affected person is specifically prepared for life after therapy if he or she has become aware of how his or her addiction to shopping developed at all. Emergency plans are drawn up together with the therapist in the event of a relapse. This includes, among other things, the first aid measures already mentioned. Especially at the beginning of the therapy, possible relapses must be expected. There is nothing unusual about regression in the course of therapy and it is even necessary to take a big step in the right direction. The affected person must learn to stay on the ball and not be discouraged.

      No statement can be made about the exact duration of the psychotherapy without considering the individual case. In principle, the duration of psychotherapy depends on several factors. Among other things, the course of therapy and the therapy goal determine the individual duration. The course of a therapy is not predictable, difficult situations in everyday life can cause the shopping addict to relapse again and again, which prolongs the process again and again. If there is also a lack of family or friendly support, a longer duration can be assumed. Ultimately, the extent of the buying addiction determines the duration of therapy and the agreed therapeutic goal. The therapy goal is usually agreed between patient and therapist at the beginning of a therapy and should at best be abstinence and safety with the learned measures and the resulting control. Patients should assume a minimum duration of six months regardless of the course of therapy and the therapy goal. A therapy session usually lasts 50 minutes and in the case of behavioural therapy usually takes place once a week. If desired, the frequency can be increased to two to three times a week, especially at the beginning.

      The costs of psychotherapy are borne by the statutory health insurance funds, despite the fact that shopping addiction has not yet been classified as a recognised disease. Privately insured persons must pay for psychotherapy themselves, depending on the range of services offered. If the financial possibilities are limited, a group therapy would be the cheaper alternative.

      After the end of psychotherapy, many people still feel unprepared for life without therapy. However, those affected should not be impressed by this, as it is a completely normal sensation. It is important to be aware that the therapy was of great importance for personal development. The affected person has learned a lot about himself and his life and has been given the necessary measures to deal with his obligation to buy. Therapy should always be seen as an opportunity to learn something about yourself, your fellow human beings and life. Despite the fact that psychotherapy is not yet fully recognized in today's society and that some people have many prejudices, it is the best way to come to terms with yourself. The fear of relapse accompanies most people who have undergone therapy for the rest of their lives. In fact, an addict is never completely cured. It is precisely because buying is a socially recognised act that the person concerned will be repeatedly exposed to offers and temptations. Probably he will have to fight against this feeling again and again his whole life. However, those who become aware of how successfully they have already defeated their obligation to buy and resisted some attractive things on a number of occasions will gain the self-confidence to be able to resist this obligation.

      Self-help groups

      Another important step in the fight against shopping addiction is to go to a self-help group. Self-help groups can also be visited as a supplement to individual therapy. However, they should continue to be visited especially after the end of behavioural therapy as a long-term measure against shopping addiction. An addiction is never considered to be completely cured and anyone who has ever been affected by buying addiction is always in danger of relapsing. Particularly in difficult or stressful life situations, those affected should not shy away from addressing their thoughts and fears within a self-help group if they fear being able to relapse again.

      Self-help groups are self-organised associations of people who suffer from the same problems and serve the exchange of information, mutual motivation and sympathy. Although the anonymity of most groups does not demonstrate any scientific effectiveness, many people affected perceive self-help groups, not least because social contacts can be established in this way. Self-help groups can be the right step, especially when those affected have largely isolated themselves socially as a result of their addiction. The feeling of finally being understood and not being alone in the world with this disease is a great relief for many addicts.

      Those who are not yet deeply in the debt spiral, have a slightly pronounced shopping addiction or consider themselves to be at risk can visit a self-help group in addition to the first aid measures mentioned above. There, those affected have the opportunity to exchange information with others about addiction and possible everyday strategies. There, an open dialogue can develop about the community feeling that develops and through conversations about addiction and one's own behaviour, shame can be reduced step by step.

      The sharing of successes, i.e. having resisted the compulsion, can also help in such successes. Affected people can have the courage to talk, get tips from others and learn that other people can deal with shopping addiction and have accepted it. The leader of the self-help group is usually an affected person who has already successfully defeated the addiction and can therefore act as a mentor.

      If the persons concerned have isolated themselves socially, a self-help group can be important in order to re-establish social contacts. However, contacts and friendships from the past should be taken up again in order

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