'Retail therapy' has been listed as an official mental disorder, in a reference guide for US psychiatrists.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders now officially recognises compulsive shopping as a unique condition and has listed it alongside other addictions such as alcohol and gambling.

British psychiatrists have warned shopaholics that their compulsive habits could be recognised as a psychiatric disorder in the UK too.

Although most people like to indulge in the odd spot of 'retail therapy', many simply find the pull of it too much and become addicted to shopping.

Factors blamed on the condition include stress, work related issues, relationship problems, boredom and lack of attention.

The manual shows the disorder affects between 2-10 per cent of adults. Women though, have been found 9 times as likely as men to become hooked on shopping.

"There is no doubt a lot of women use shopping as a substitute form of gratification," said Glenn Wilson of the Institute of Psychiatry in London.

"If their husband is not paying them sufficient attention or they are unhappy or bored, then shopping seems to be a female fix," he added.

Dr Adrienne Baker, senior psychotherapy lecturer at Regent's College in London, blames the media for the growing problem.

"You can't open your eyes, you can't eat your cereal without being persuaded to buy something," she said.

"It is usually written off as affecting only bored, affluent, middle-aged women but it affects people from any background."

Notable high-profile shopaholics include singer Sir Elton John and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.

However, it's not all doom and gloom for compulsive female shoppers; in the book, 'Keeping Your Brain Young', US doctors Guy McKhann and Marilyn Albert argue that the reason women are generally healthier and live longer than men can be attributed to them hitting the shops.