Affluenza is a social condition arising from being, or desiring to be, materially wealthy, or to "Keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that prides financial success as one of the highest pursuits to be achieved and can be found (according to those who believe the condition exists) amongst people who are just relatively wealthy, or even merely in regular contact with, via the media, images of those who are.[attribution needed]

People who are said to be affected by Affluenza typically find that the very economic success they have been so vigorously chasing ends up leaving them feeling unfulfilled and wishing for yet more wealth, sometimes addicted to their economic pursuits. The condition is considered particularly acute amongst those with inherited wealth, who are often said to experience guilt, lack of purpose and dissolute behaviour, as well as obsession with holding on to the wealth.[attribution needed]

Based on World Health Organization data, British psychologist Oliver James has demonstrated that English-speaking nations (USA, Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Canada) have twice as much mental illness as mainland European ones - 23% vs 11.5% have suffered in the last twelve months. Defining Affluenza more precisely than hitherto as 'placing a high value on money, possessions, appearances (physical and social) and fame', he shows that English-speakers suffer more from Affluenza, and offers this as the main explanation for their greater mental illness.[attribution needed] Their greater Affluenza is explained as the result of 'Selfish Capitalism', the neo-Conservative or Market Liberal political governance found in English-speaking nations compared to more unselfish capitalist governeance in mainland Europe. James' 2007 book, Affluenza - how to be successful and stay sane, investigated the spread of the virus in 8 different nations or cities therein, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Moscow, Shanghai, Copenhagen, New York and Britain.