Lately I have had major urges to shop. Luckily, I have been online shopping, and fill the cart, then I just exit out of the browser. I've been browsing craigslist whenever I have the time. And had a major urge to just get a dog. This has been this way for about two weeks I'd say almost non-stop.

I have been on Lamictal and Abilify, for almost two months, shouldn't these meds curb this?

Considering you aren't actually buying anything, maybe the meds are helping --- ??

The frustrating part is that I know if I had the money I would. But, I know I need to buy my son birthday presents, and I don't want to take away from him, due to my problems.

I was just wondering if the phases are supposed to be calmed more, or if the abilify is making it worse; kind of like cymbalta for bi-polars.

I had a major shopping spree while on Abilify. That whole episode, I refer to as "sex and shopping" which is worse than just shopping. I spent lots of money, fortunately, I did not spend more than I could afford, and I don't have any credit cards so I didn't have any debt from it. It was weird though, I just couldn't stop. My guess is it's the Abilify since the same thing happened to me. Or it could just be your bipolar. I've had these episodes pre-meds plenty of times, so it's hard to say.

I was just prescribed Lamictal yesterday, and am getting a "starter pack" that will take something like 6+ weeks to gradually get up to my target dosage (200 mg). My pdoc told me that I will NOT likely receive any useful benefits from it for the first 3 months! So I'd say tell your Dr if the Lamictal doesn't seem to be working, but realize that perhaps it has not had enough time yet.

How are you feeling? I hope it works for you. I know one thing that I like about the med is the minimal side affects.

I don't know that I can take the meds anymore. Not only am I having a hard time with shopping, I can't focus either. It's really beginning to affect my schooling.

I think I need something that acts quicker. Hopefully, I can talk to the Pdoc about changing meds.

Considering you aren't actually buying anything, maybe the meds are helping --- ??

Nah -- it's just the build up if one is not careful the Volcano will erupt big time.

SuperChan - Do you have anyone you are close with who can help you. Maybe hold on to your credit cards for a while? Is there anything small you can buy or do to help placate the urge? You are in a tight spot right now and I know how you are feeling (I have purchased an returned over 60 Xbox 360s in the past year). It's the impulsivity and it sucks.

Luckily/Unluckily right now I am in a DMP due to all the spending I did before, so it is very hard for me to use a credit card. My weakness is the Debit Card, and I can't be without that. My husband is dx as well as my best friend, so usually I can talk to them about buying something before I do it. but still it really sucks.

.... Now what to do with that tax rebate? ;)

Something we did is open a second account at another bank with a card we don't carry on us. Maybe you can put the refund/extra money in something like that and this way it wont be easy to spend the extra money.

I know how sucky it can be and I hope you are well.

Thank you, I'm doing ok. I actually did quit taking the meds and I can feel myself coming down, so hopefully the shopping will come down too. (at least until the next high)

We should shop more together!! lol

Man have I been shopping a lot lately, too. Fortunately, I've been able to confine myself to practical purchases, but honestly - I don't think my son or I can fit anymore underwear or t-shirts in our dressers. It's just weird, because I'm not usually like this. This whole therapy and medication thing - it seems that with every improvement, I've got to find something else inappropriate or destructive to take up. Oh well. sorry for butting in. just feeling nutty and trying to occupy myself so I do anything else stupid today.

You are not butting in at all.

Shopping is just one of the many things that seem hard to control. I know what you mean about keeping it to the necessary items. When I really want to shop, I try to pay bills first then see if it is still nagging me. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not.

The worst part is my husband is dx too. I think that he is spending more than I see at home because I can't figure out where the money is going. He often comes home though and says, check out this pair of pants I got. "It was on sale" is one of his favorite statements.:)

I'm beginning to realize just how helpful having a joint bank account would be to us. I could really analyze how we are spending and maybe we could change things.

Ok, way off topic, sorry. Just really got into this spending mode thing in my brain and it is really bothering me that I can't stop it.

I've been getting a little bit in the shopping mood lately, but so far it's in check. I tend to look and not buy right now, hopefully, it won't switch.

Very good idea to not have a credit card. I have a debit card too, but I never keep more than $500 in my account so I can't do too much damage. I can transfer money between my accounts, but it's a pain to do so I try to avoid it. That technique really helps with the impulsive purchases.

My new shopping obsession-- the stock market! Great some days, not so great others. . .

I fell off the wagon and purchased a Wii. My kids loved it, but I really didn't mean to buy it right now. Impulsivity can strike at any time and we just need to forgive ourselves and move on. Sometimes you can fix it with a return and sometimes (like right now with the Wii and my kids) it winds up being okay.