Each of us is surrounded by advertising campaigns and TV commercials that urge us to consume. And these days even the government is encouraging us to go out and spend more.

Indeed, 'Spend! Spend! Spend!' appears to have become the mantra for all social and individual ills in our instant-fix modern world.

The simple fact is that 'retail therapy' has become such an integral part of our lives that some of us even feel a bit guilty if we don't consistently go out and spend money.

Still we find ourselves doing this even when we truly don't need and can't really afford it. But why do we really go on a spending spree when you know you have no real need and perhaps cannot really afford it?

Why do we feel a compulsion to spend? Well, the simple answer is 'distraction'.

When we're feeling bad, when we're anxious, sad, bored, lonely or depressed, then shopping appears to offer a distraction from those difficult feelings and emotions.

When our self-esteem is running low then adding something external on to our identity - such as another dress or suit or a costly item of clothing - can become very attractive.

It seems to hold an instant remedy for the blues, a pick-me-up for feeling down.

Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong with this - in moderation. But for the compulsive shopper, moderation isn't really an option. It is this compulsive component, with its addictive elements, that really needs addressing.

It is the emotions and the feelings that drive a person to compulsively shop that feed the behaviour itself. It is feelings and emotions that create and sustain the shopaholic.

The fact is that emotions and feelings are triggered by the subconscious. So the only really effective way of dealing with them is through the subconscious mind.

And this is where advanced hypnosis and hypnotherapy can be extremely useful and effective.

With the expert use of advanced hypnotherapy techniques it is possible to reach down deep within the subconscious mind and 're-program' it so that the drivers, the energies that fuel the compulsion to shop are neutralized.

When the emotional reasons for compulsive shopping have been uncovered and neutralized, the person can resume shopping in a normal, rational manner. He or she becomes free to shop when he or she wishes to - instead of some short-term, quick-fix attempt to feel better.

If you or someone you care about is locked into a cycle of spending in order to feel better, if you are experiencing those urges to shop until you drop, then advanced transformational hypnotherapy can help you get your life back on track.