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According to psychotherapist and affluenza authority, Jessie H. O'Neill M.A "Anyone--regardless of their net worth-- who belives that they must be rich, that more is always better, is a self-condemned prisoner of the 'golden ghetto'." Globally it is a back up in the flow of money resulting in a polarization of the classes and a loss of economic and emotional balance. Individually, affluenza is a dysfunctional relationship with money/wealth, or the pursuit of it. Individual and cultural symptoms are: an inability to delay gratification and tolerate frustration; a false sense of entitlement; loss of future motivation; low self-esteem; loss of self-confidence; low self-worth; preoccupation with externals. Sudden wealth syndrome and sudden poverty syndrome are both parts of the greater "dis-ease" of affluenza.

Diagnose yourself with symptoms of Affluenza:

1. I'm willing to pay more for a t-shirt if it has a cool corporate logo on it.

2. I believe that if I buy the cocktail dress, the cocktail party will come.

3. I have a shoe collection Imelda Marcos would envy.

4. When I'm cold, I take my clothes off and turn up the heat.

5. I'm willing to work 40 years at a job I hate so I can buy lots of stuff.

6. When I'm feeling blue, I like to go shopping and treat myself.

7. I want a sports utility vehicle, although I rarely drive in conditions that warrant one.

8. I usually make just the minimum payment on my credit cards.

9. I believe that whoever dies with the most toys wins.

10. Most of the things my friends/family and I enjoy doing together are free.

11. I don't measure my self-worth (or that of others) by what I own.

12. I know how to pinch a dollar until it screams.

13. I worry about the effects of advertising on children.

14. To get to work, I don't carpool, ride my bike or use public transportation.

15. I'd rather be shopping right now.

For questions 1-9 and 15, give yourself 2 points for true and 1 point for false.

For questions 10-14, give yourself 0 points for true and 2 points for false.

If you scored:

10-15 No dangerous signs of Affluenza at this time. Watch Affluenza to help build immunity.

16-22 Warning: You have mild Affluenza. Watch Affluenza to help prevent a full-blown case, and see our handy tips for squishing the Affluenza bug.

23-30 Cut up your credit cards and call a doctor! Memorize the list of bug-beating tips below.

Try these handy tips for beating Affluenza!

1. Before you buy, ask yourself: Do I need it? Do I want to dust (dry-clean or otherwise maintain) it? Could I borrow it from a friend, neighbor or family member? Is there anything I already own that I could substitute for it? Are the resources that went into it renewable, or non-renewable? How many hours will I have to work to pay for it? (Note: Before you do this, you may find it useful to figure your real hourly wage. Take your annual net income and subtract your work-related costs like clothing, transportation, child care, parking and lunches out.

2. Avoid the mall. Go hiking or play ball with the kids instead.

3. Figure out what public transportation can save you (time, money for gas and parking, peace of mind).

4. Become an advertising critic. Don't be sucked in by efforts to make you feel inadequate so you'll buy more stuff you don't need.

5. Volunteer for a school or community group.

6. Splurge consciously. A few luxuries can be delightful, and they don't have to be expensive.

7. Stay in -- have a potluck, play a game, bake bread, write a letter, cuddle a loved one.

8. Make a budget -- know how much you are earning and spending. Each dollar represents precious time in your life that you worked. Are you spending money in ways that fulfill you?

9. Pretend the Joneses are the thriftiest, least wasteful people on the block. Then try to keep up with them.

Information in this article has been auqired from http://www.pbs.org with their permission.

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