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A shopping trip between friends or alone has become a great social phenomenon. A girl's retail therapy day, makes a innocent shopping trip a great way to have fun and relax together.

However, there is a dark side to this innocence leisure activity. There are a number of women who receive a real buzz from buying and hunting for a bargain. It is possible to become addicted to this feeling of a high buzz; usually these manic shopping sprees are to fill an emotional void.

This is only a temporary boost as later on the familiar feelings of guilt return setting off a compulsion to shop again. Some compulsive shoppers have reported of a huge thrill an increasing feeling of excitement and a rush of adrenalin when walking into a particular shop.

Many shoppers are unable to share the pleasure of arriving home after a great shop until you drop day. Trying on that perfect outfit again in front of the mirror or twilling in front of friends and family. Instead, they are physically and mentally consumed with guilt, throwing the bags into the back of the wardrobe.

The problems arise when people become totally preoccupied with shopping for the wrong reasons, ignoring the inevitable drawback to the nightmare of spiraling debts and feelings of self-loathing and worthlessness.

Some psychologist agrees that this addiction can be traced back to the person's childhood. As a child they may have be lavished with gifts from parents who work hard and feel guilty, in the child's mind they associate love with giving material items. When as an adult they experience a crisis that might just trigger a compulsion to shop buying items to satisfy that missing something.

How can you tell if shopping is just for fun or something more sinister.

* Do you shop beyond you means?
* Hide your new purchases?
* Do you feel a strong need to go shopping?
* Do you buy items you need or want?
* Do you experience a buzz and feel ashamed when you arrive home from the shopping spree?
* While shopping do you avoid being distracted from your hunt?
* Do you have self-esteem issues?
* Do you find the whole process- apart from the brief buzz of acquisition- unfulfilling and
depressing?

Shopping will still remain one of the highest leisure activities for many people. If you have said yes to four or more of the above questions than maybe shopping as become a lifestyle compulsion.

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