Renowned children’s author Sally Gardner has revealed a deeply personal battle with compulsive shopping, attributing it to prescription drugs initially intended to treat her Restless Legs Syndrome.

Compulsive Spending and Financial Loss

Gardner, who has sold 2.5 million books and won the Carnegie Medal, found herself spiraling into reckless spending, exceeding £500,000. She initially believed her ability to purchase luxury items was due to her financial success.

However, the spending quickly became uncontrollable, leading to secrecy, deception, and significant debt. This ultimately forced her to downsize from her north London townhouse to a smaller apartment.

The Dopamine Connection

For years, Gardner was unaware that the dopamine agonist drugs prescribed for her Restless Legs Syndrome could be the root cause of her behavior. These drugs, also used for conditions like Parkinson’s disease, increase dopamine activity in the brain.

A growing body of evidence now links these drugs to impulsive behaviors, including compulsive shopping, gambling, and hypersexuality. This can result in financial hardship and relationship breakdowns.

Addictive Cycle and Similar Cases

Gardner described the addictive nature of the cycle, explaining, “You buy one thing and you get a dopamine hit from it and want that feeling again and again.” She repeatedly purchased the same items, such as five identical pairs of shoes and ten dog beds for her Yorkshire Terrier.

The BBC has highlighted numerous similar cases, with patients and families detailing the devastating consequences of these drug-induced compulsions. Many didn’t connect their behavioral changes to the medication until after significant damage was done.

Regulatory Review and Ongoing Challenges

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is now reviewing this critical issue. Gardner discovered the potential link after listening to a BBC podcast, feeling as though her life had been “hijacked” by the medication.

Despite reducing her dosage, Gardner continues to take the drugs as they remain the only effective treatment for her Restless Legs Syndrome. She continues to manage the urges on a daily basis.

Echoes of a Similar Tragedy

This case mirrors the story of Jane Ryde, whose husband, a Parkinson’s sufferer, became a “sex addict” overnight after being prescribed Pramipexole. Ryde described a dramatic personality change and compulsive behavior, with minimal warning on the drug’s information.

She emphasized her husband would have been deeply disturbed to learn of the medication’s impact. The lack of adequate warnings and dismissive attitudes from some medical professionals further compound the distress experienced by patients and their families.