“Doom spending”, which is translated into Turkish as apocalyptic spending or deprivation spending, means that people make unnecessary purchases to avoid negative moods or to reduce the impact of these situations. Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Mental Health and Diseases, said that stresses caused by work, family and social environment can lead individuals to shopping as a means of escape. Stating that evaluating the emotional state before spending will help the individual to understand the underlying reasons for shopping, Ensari noted that emotional awareness can reduce unnecessary spending.
Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari, Vice Dean of Istanbul Atlas University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Mental Health and Diseases, made an evaluation on the concept of “Doom spending”, which is translated into Turkish as doom spending or deprivation spending.
What is doom spending
“Stating that the concept of “doom spending” defines the tendency of individuals to make uncontrolled or unnecessary expenditures in the face of negative situations such as economic uncertainty or personal stress, Ensari said, “The English word ‘doom’ means ‘doom’ or ‘end’, while the word ‘spending’ means ‘expenditure’. Therefore, 'Doom spending' can be translated into Turkish as 'Apocalypse spending' or metaphorically as 'Deprivation spending'. It means that people make unnecessary purchases to avoid or reduce the impact of negative moods. It represents people consciously or unconsciously turning to shopping activities to meet their emotional needs that are not very regular.”
It is done to feel temporarily good
Referring to the causes of doom spending, Ensari said, “With the global economic crisis, individuals experience future anxiety triggered by uncertainty. While trying to feel temporarily good by making unnecessary purchases for today; on the other hand, they can increase their spending in order to secure themselves against the negativities they may encounter in the future.”
It can be seen as a way to escape stress
Noting that one of the reasons for apocalyptic spending is stress and anxiety, Ensari said: “Stresses caused by work, family and social environment can lead individuals to shopping as a means of escape. This again provides temporary relief. Many people turn to shopping as a feeling of emotional emptiness or as a coping mechanism for stress. This makes individuals feel temporarily better and reinforces the spending behavior. Like emotional eating, such expenditures can become one of the ways individuals cope with stress.”
Online shopping and social media are effective
“The easy accessibility of online shopping, instant discounts and being influenced by advertisements can contribute to the spread of this syndrome,” Ensari warned, adding, ”With the influence of social media, people may feel emotional dissatisfaction or inadequacy by comparing their lives with other people. They may turn to shopping to relieve these feelings.”
Feelings of regret and deep stress may occur
Stating that unnecessary expenditures can accumulate over time, strain personal budgets and lead to increased debt, Ensari said: “Although it provides relief in the short term, in the long term, regret and deeper feelings of stress may occur with the realization of the problem. Increasing stress over time triggers the desire to shop again, creating a vicious cycle. This may result in financial crises in the long term,” he warned.
May negatively affect mental health in the long run
Stating that expenditures made to cope with constant anxiety and stress can lead to mental health problems in the long term, Ensari said, “Such expenditures increase the risk of anxiety and depression in individuals, which can lead to further deterioration of the mental state.”
It can lead to many negative consequences
Stating that overspending can negatively affect relationships within the family, Ensari said: “Financial problems can lead to disagreements and tension between couples. Economic pressures can lead to increased communication problems and damage to relationships. Satisfaction obtained through expenditures is short-lived and can lead to a feeling of insecurity over time. This reduces the sense of personal fulfillment and can prevent individuals from feeling valued.”
How to manage apocalyptic spending
Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari, who gave advice on coping with and managing apocalyptic spending, listed her suggestions as follows:
Creating a budget: It is important to realize that spending is based on need and budget, not emotional instincts. Creating an individual budget in line with income and sticking to this budget can prevent unnecessary spending. Before spending, asking the question “Do I really need this shopping?” helps individuals make more informed decisions.
Making a shopping list: Creating a list before going shopping can help avoid unnecessary spending. Sticking to the list prevents impulsive shopping. By identifying the products they need in advance, individuals can better control their spending.
Emotional awareness: Assessing emotional state before spending helps individuals understand the underlying reasons for shopping. Emotional awareness can help reduce unnecessary spending. People may tend to shop when they feel stressed or anxious, so it is important to recognize these emotions.
Take up a hobby: Healthy stress management techniques such as meditation, sports or taking up a hobby can help individuals reduce their anxiety levels. Such activities offer more positive ways to fill the emotional void. Regular exercise can positively impact both physical and mental health.
Social support is an important tool to overcome such challenges.
Effective time management: Managing time effectively can reduce pressure in individuals' daily lives. Planning helps to clarify to-dos and reduces stress levels. This can reduce the need to go shopping.
Recognizing your own needs: When individuals understand what they really need, it can positively influence their spending habits. Identifying one's own needs improves financial health by reducing unnecessary spending. This awareness makes individuals more conscious of their spending behavior.
During challenging times, it is important to seek emotional support. Talking about it with family and friends can ease the emotional burden. It is very important to be aware of our mental state and seek support from a mental health professional when necessary.
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