How to tell if you suffer from travel addiction?

[Photo: from VCG]

Do you find yourself overcome by sadness when a holiday comes to an end? Do the images on social media of other people in exotic locales lead you to feel slightly envious?

If the answer is yes to any of the above questions, then you might want to ask your doctor whether travel addiction is afflicting you.

According to some experts, travel addiction is very real, and it can be as disruptive to your life as any other dependency.

Dr. Michael Brein, who goes by the moniker "The Travel Psychologist", recently told Condé Nast Traveler: "The short answer is yes, it's possible. But figuring out what causes it is incredibly complicated.

"Travel addiction is much more psychological (than biochemical); Like anything, if you let it overwhelm you, it can have serious effects on other aspects of your life." He said

In fact, ever since the year 2000, dromomania - described as the unstoppable urge to explore - has been officially listed in the US Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The manual defines those addicted in the following way: "Sufferers have an abnormal impulse to travel; they are prepared to spend beyond their means, sacrifice jobs, lovers and security in their lust for new experiences." 

[The audio clip is from Studio+, produced by CRI.]