Almost every person with ADHD goes through the same sequence: finally earning their own money, feeling how good that independence feels, and then discovering how good it feels to spend it. Whether it is designer clothes, a gaming console, makeup, or a night out, the ability to buy things without asking a parent or anyone else first feels exhilarating. For the first time, money feels like freedom.
But that freedom can quickly become a dangerous slope.
People with ADHD have a lower baseline dopamine level, which means we are constantly seeking stimulation and reward. Spending money provides that hit. And sometimes that can become addicting. It can lead to impulsive spending. Buying things you don’t need, running out of money, and struggling to pay f A or what actually matters. Often, this can become a problem before we even realise it.
Something that I have noticed is the anxiety that follows impulsive spending. The moment when the big number in my account suddenly becomes small can feel crushing and demoralizing. It can trigger guilt, anxiety, and even avoidance, which only makes the cycle harder to break.
This is why boundaries are essential. Discipline does not mean never spending money. But maybe instead of shopping every few days, you limit yourself to once a week, or even once a month. Maybe instead of having a constant loop of takeaways, you step into a supermarket and buy some proper groceries. These small changes can create distance between impulse and action.
Spending money can easily become a loop, especially with ADHD. Sometimes the most effective way to break that loop is take one step back, look at what you have done, evaluate without shame, and then move forwards with a better plan in mind.
Not perfect – just better.
