Why You Spend When You’re Not Okay

 


You didn’t plan to spiral.

You were just trying to feel better for five minutes.

So you clicked “add to cart.” Again.

Now there’s a pit in your stomach. Again.

And it’s not about the $82 you just spent. It’s about the shame that comes crashing in right after. The voice that says, “You’re reckless. You should know better. Why can’t you just control yourself?”

Let’s stop there, because here’s something to ponder about:

If you’ve been caught in a loop of emotional spending, shame, and secrecy…

You are not broken.

You are not bad with money.

You are responding, biologically and emotionally, to a deeper need.

And it might have more to do with dopamine than discipline.

What If It’s Not a Willpower Problem?

Let’s talk about science for a second.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter tied to motivation, pleasure, and reward. When your brain anticipates something exciting, like a new pair of shoes, a delicious coffee, or the rush of an online checkout, it releases a hit of dopamine. That anticipation feels good. Safe. Comforting.

In people with ADHD or high emotional stress, dopamine regulation can become even more skewed. According to Dr. Russell Barkley, a clinical professor of psychiatry known for his research on ADHD, the brains of people with dopamine irregularities often crave stimulation and spending provides that quick hit.

So when you’re overwhelmed, lonely, burnt out, or bored, your brain might seek comfort not through logic, but through that one-click purchase. It’s not about the thing you bought. It’s about the feeling it promised.

Read More: https://peonymagazine.com/career-money/why-you-spend-when-youre-not-okay/


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