oniomania

[/ˌoʊniəˈmeɪniə/ or /ˌɑːniəˈmeɪniə/]
nounfemininepl: onioomanias
oniomania
1. A compulsive or irresistible urge to shop or purchase items, often resulting in financial difficulties and psychological distress; an impulse control disorder characterized by excessive shopping behavior
Her oniomania had led her to accumulate thousands of dollars in credit card debt.
A oniomania dela a levou a acumular milhares de dólares em dívida de cartão de crédito.
2. Compulsive shopping addiction driven by emotional needs rather than actual necessity for the items purchased
Therapists recognize oniomania as a behavioral addiction similar to gambling disorder.
Os terapeutas reconhecem a oniomania como um vício comportamental semelhante ao transtorno do jogo.
Oniomania is increasingly recognized in both American and Brazilian mental health contexts as consumer culture grows. In Brazil, the rise of e-commerce and credit access has brought greater awareness of this condition. The term, derived from Greek 'onios' (for sale) and 'mania' (madness), reflects the clinical perspective on what some view as an unhealthy manifestation of modern consumer society. It's discussed more openly in therapeutic settings but remains somewhat stigmatized in general conversation.
NYC Slang
shop till you drop (though less clinical); shopping spree addict
Synonyms / Sinônimos
compulsive shoppingshopping addictionshopping disordercompulsive buying disorderimpulse buying disorder
Antonyms / Antônimos
frugalitythriftinessrestraintmoderation

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
oniomania
Used in clinical and psychological contexts; often borrowed from English in Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
vício em compras
More colloquial alternative meaning 'shopping addiction'
São Paulo
compulsão por compras
Medical/psychological term meaning 'compulsion to buy'
Portugal
oniomania
Used in psychological literature; sometimes 'vício de compras' in casual speech

Related Words

shopaholiccompulsive behaviorimpulse control disorderbehavioral addictionconsumerismretail therapy

Related Idioms & Phrases

retail therapy gone wrong
addicted to the mall
shop till you drop
can't stop, won't stop shopping
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