Shopping is a necessity and can be therapeutic for some, but for others, it’s a compulsive habit that can ruin lives. Now, to help prevent the problem, researchers have developed a new test that identifies shopaholics.

Researchers from University of Richmond have developed a new scale, which consists of just nine questions, for measuring compulsive buying. They believe that the scale does a better job than previous measures of identifying the number of people who engage in compulsive shopping.

Previous measures were dependent in large part on the consequences of shopping, such as financial difficulties and family strain over money matters.

However, the new research shows that compulsive shoppers with higher incomes may experience fewer financial consequences yet still have compulsive tendencies.

The researchers found that compulsive buying was linked to materialism, reduced self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and stress. Compulsive shoppers had positive feelings associated with buying, and they also tended to hide purchases, return items, have more family arguments, and possessed more maxed-out credit cards.

Results of the new test found that nearly 9 percent of a sample of 550 university staff members, mostly women, would be considered compulsive buyers.

Where do you fit in? Take the test below and then answer our poll question.

The new test includes six statements, for which individuals answer on a 7-point scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree:

(Strongly Agree =7, Agree=6, Somewhat Agree=5, Neutral=4, Somewhat Disagree= 3, Disagree=2, Strongly Disagree=1)
My closet has unopened shopping bags in it.
Others might consider me a “shopaholic.”
Much of my life centers around buying things.
I buy things I don’t need.
I buy things I did not plan to buy.
I consider myself an impulse purchaser.

Respondents who score 25 or higher would be considered compulsive buyers.