They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem -- so, here it goes, I am a complete shopaholic. I obsessively buy things (specifically clothes, shoes, makeup, and purses) and there is no excuse for my behavior, but going shopping is like a drug to me. Think I’m being dramatic? Well, I’m not. It is a struggle, and a real problem even if it is a first world problem. Here are 10 things you can relate to if you are a shopaholic.

1. The best feeling in the world is buying something cute -- on sale.

Is there a better feeling in the world? You see something, you like it, you need it, and you find out it’s on sale -- can you say f-a-t-e? That means you absolutely have to get it, no excuses!

2. Online shopping is so important to you.

Whoever came up with the idea of online shopping is the real MVP, what a stellar idea. Having the option to shop in your pajamas, the comfort of your bed, or from anywhere on the planet without having to interact with other humans..amazing idea...It’s like I thought it up myself. Sometimes, you just don’t want be bothered to drive all the way to a store and sometimes you don’t even want to be bothered to move, which is why online shopping is so great and useful to shopaholics like me. There is no longer an excuse, you want that dress? You have the power to have that dress and you don’t even have to move. Just order it online it will arrive in three to five business days, it’s so simple and convenient it's dangerous.

3. You are also a competitive shopper.

When you find something you like you don't stop until it is yours and you always have to be on top of your game. It's dog eat dog out there, and you know if you want something you need to act now or it will sell out, especially when it comes to online shopping. You know better than to wait around and think about the decision, you've made that rookie mistake before. If you want something you need to grab or it right away or hit "Add to Cart" before someone else does and it's too late.

4. You have no shame in asking (or begging) for money.

You may be a bit embarrassed later on, or feel a bit guilty that you had to break down and ask your dad for cash or ask your mom for her credit card but in the moment you did not care at all. In that moment, you just do not care; you need that whatever-it-is. You were just doing what you had to do. When your addicted to shopping you automatically become desperate for money. Its not even your fault you didn't choose this lifestyle, it chose you!

5. You love to tell everyone about your latest purchases.

It’s not even because you want to brag, bragging has nothing to do it. When you have a shopping problem you just genuinely enjoy buying new things so much that it sort of takes over your life. You are so excited that you got those amazing shoes you’ve been dying for, or that top that will go with literally everything in your closet, and you want other people to be excited for you as well. So you have the urge to tell everyone about it, even if they couldn’t care less.

6. You know how to talk yourself into buying something.

It will go with every outfit! This would be so cute to just like throw on -- it will look so effortless! It’s on sale -- get it now before it sells out, there's no time to waste! You’ve wanted this forever just get it already! You deserve to spoil yourself every once in a while! This is so the style I’m going for this summer! We’ve all been there, we’ve all said these things to convince ourselves to buy something, admit it.

7. You know too well what it’s like to be broke.

You’ve overspent yourself before and you know it is not fun. Looking at your account balance and seeing a pitiful $2.09 is a really sad moment. This sad moment usually follows a really happy moment of buying something you really liked. Although you have learned your lesson multiple times and know how completely devastating run out of funds, you can’t completely promise you won’t do it again.

8. You also know the pain of wanting something you can’t have.

Just because you run out of money doesn’t mean you stop wanting things. Chances are, if you have over-shopped yourself into being broke you have also suffered the pain of wanting something you can’t have because you literally just can’t afford it. Or if you are not completely broke you may fall in love with something and then find out it’s sold out completely or just sold out in your size..there is almost nothing worse than that. Finding a material item you feel as though you need in your life but can’t possess, for one reason for another, is basically the same as falling in love with someone you can’t be with, and it takes time to get over that sort-a thing..

9. The things you didn’t buy, keep you up at night.

It may sound ridiculous, but if you are an actual shopaholic you understand what I’m talking about here. When you actually use an ounce of self control and decide not to buy something or you just literally can’t buy something (for reasons discussed earlier) it becomes something that keeps you up at night. Out of all the problems in the world and all the things you could be worried about you are up late at night, unable to sleep, because you are mentally pining over the purse you didn’t buy (but totally should have). That's not normal.

10. You get defensive when people question your spending habits.

More defensive than what would be considered normal. It’s like someone is questioning your character and your life decisions. How dare you tell me I should cut back on my spending, or ask me why I bought something. You feel very attacked and defensive and explain in great detail why you spend your money on the things that you do.