Compulsive buying is an abnormal form of consumption and a dysfunctional consumer behavior, characterized by an uncontrollable, intense urge to shop, driven by a chronically recurring impulse, in which spending, and the act of shopping become addictive. This type of purchasing, whose prevalence is steadily increasing in modern consumer societies, is triggered by various factors such as economic, social, environmental, and cultural structures, and can lead to serious negative consequences in consumers’ lives. Compulsive buying behavior has already attracted growing academic attention within the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and consumer behavior, and recent literature highlights its associations with certain existing psychological and psychiatric disorders in the development of compulsive buying. In terms of conceptualizing and addressing this behavior, it is essential to consider these accompanying conditions.

In this study, the definition of compulsive buying behavior, its historical background, and the factors influencing this behavior are presented, while a literature review provides a detailed examination of several disorders and conditions accompanying compulsive buying. Brief reference is made to coping strategies for compulsive buying behavior, and the study emphasizes the necessity of adopting a broader analytical framework and supporting it with different perspectives in order to enhance the understanding of the mechanisms underlying compulsive consumption.