Compulsive Spending & Weight Loss

Compulsive spending and weight loss may seem like two separate, unrelated issues, but that is not always the case. The two conditions are sometimes linked, stemming from an eating disorder or other mental health issue. Those losing weight due to anorexia and bulimia are often likely to compulsively spend, just as those who are obsessed with shopping are sometimes equally obsessed with their body image.

Misconception

Compulsive spending and weight loss do not necessarily denote a person's problem with money management and food, respectively, Mirror Mirror and the National Institute of Mental Health explain. Both often stem from a much deeper problem for which the compulsive spending and weight loss are merely symptoms.

Hunger Diseases

Both compulsive spending and eating disorders, including those that lead to weight loss, fall into the "hunger disease" category, Eating Disorder Hope notes. Hunger diseases are those in which people grab for whatever is within their reach to fill some insatiable need. Their grabbing usually comes with acute anxiety, since they are too scared to examine what would fill that need and instead turn to compulsive behaviors to quickly fill the void and mask the underlying problem. Excessive shopping, starving or feeding followed by binging are some of these behaviors.

Spending and Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa, marked by an obsession with weight and food, often leads to extreme weight loss and even death, MayoClinic.com notes. The weight loss comes from a highly restrictive diet, excessive exercise, or both. Those suffering from anorexia are generally rigid perfectionists, Eating Disorder Hope says, and sometimes fall into the compulsive spending trap. Since a lot of food is off limits, anorexics compensate by indulging in things that are not off limits, such as clothes, shoes or other material items. The spending becomes an indirect way of nurturing themselves since food no longer does the trick.

Spending and Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa is a disorder that involves binging and purging, MayoClinic.com says, which also leads to weight loss and potentially death. Consuming large quantities of food is followed by purging the food from the system, often through vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise or other unhealthy means. Bulimics are generally daring and impulsive, Eating Disorder Hope notes, and sometimes turn to compulsive spending and sprees to feed their need for instant gratification or a momentary thrill.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a disorder marked by obsessive thoughts or compulsive behavior lasting more than one hour each day; thoughts and behavior that interfere with a person's life, the National Institute of Mental Health says. The disorder, caused by a chemical imbalance, can lead to compulsive shopping habits and spending sprees with obsessive thoughts focused on shopping and buying. Weight loss often comes from compulsive, ritualistic eating habits and an obsession with body image. OCD and eating disorders likely stem from the same chemical imbalance in the brain.