What is Money Dysmorphia?
Written by
Cara Bradley
6 min read
Updated: 13/01/2026
Over the past couple of years, you might have noticed the term ‘money dysmorphia’ appearing across mainstream and social media. Between January 2024 and January 2025, it was reported that online searches for the term had risen by a massive 136%. It’s hardly surprising, given that 17.7 million adults in the UK admit to worrying about their finances on a daily basis.
- What is money dysmorphia?
- What causes money dysmorphia?
- What are the signs of money dysmorphia?
In our guide, we answer the above questions and explain what money dysmorphia is and what to do if you think you might be struggling with it.
What is money dysmorphia?
Money dysmorphia is when you develop an unhealthy view of your financial situation, which could start to affect your life and well-being.
Types of money dysmorphia
- You perceive your financial situation to be less secure than it is.
- You perceive your financial situation to be more secure than it is.
Signs of money dysmorphia
If you assume that your financial situation is worse than it is, you might:
- Believe that you are financially insecure or consider yourself ‘poor’ despite there being no evidence to suggest this.
- Feel persistently anxious about your financial circumstances, even though you currently have no clear reason to be.
- Feel guilty when you spend money.
- Restrict your spending more than necessary, for example, cutting back on social and leisure activities.
- Live more frugally than you perhaps need to. Of course, being frugal is not a bad thing, but if it’s affecting your mental health and quality of life, it could become a problem.
- Make unnecessary sacrifices to save money, such as refusing to turn your heating on in winter. As discussed, while it’s okay to be conscious of your spending, taking it to the extreme and living uncomfortably could signal an unhealthy relationship with money.
- Feel extremely anxious or devastated if an unexpected expense crops up, such as a broken home appliance, even if you can afford to replace it.
- Obsessively check your accounts.
- Compare your monetary situation to that of family, friends, and those on social media.
- Experience mood changes when thinking about money.
On the other hand, if you view your financial situation to be more stable than it is, you might:
- Spend recklessly and frivolously, and beyond your means, without thinking about it or checking your financial situation first.
- Offer to spend your money on other people without making sure that you can afford to. This could include things like offering to cover the cost of the entire meal when out with friends.
- Spend money that you don’t need to or can’t afford.
- Apply for credit products, such as a loan or credit card, without a genuine reason.
- Get into debt.
- Spend money unnecessarily as a response to an emotion, such as happiness or sadness.
What causes money dysmorphia?
Money dysmorphia does not have a ‘one size fits all’ cause. There are many reasons why people may find themselves in a dysmorphic state with money. Below are just some of the possible causes; if you don’t relate to these specific examples, that’s okay! It doesn’t mean that you’re not struggling with money dysmorphia, and it certainly doesn’t mean that you’re not worthy of help. Everyone’s situation is completely different, and sometimes, these feelings can come on without any clear trigger. It shouldn’t and doesn’t invalidate your experience or the distress you may be feeling.
- Childhood experiences
Research suggests that our financial habits are set as early as 7 years old.
Our childhood financial experiences can absolutely play a part in how we view and manage money as adults. If you grew up in a household where money was tight, you might be overly cautious with your own income.
This could also work oppositely; a childhood shaped by restricted money could lead you to overspend as an adult. - Financial trauma in adulthood
Financial trauma can take on many forms, such as being made redundant, losing your home as a result of a relationship breakdown, and being a victim of fraud. Understandably, these situations could contribute to heightened anxiety surrounding money. - Media input
From the cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation, to increasing bills and a derelict job market, it’s no secret that over the past few years, the media has whipped up a frenzy of negative financial statistics. The media we consume can have a huge impact on how we view the world around us, and it’s no wonder that many people feel the need to stockpile their money ‘just in case’.
Things that could help money dysmorphia
- Enable notifications from your online banking account
Opt-in to receive real-time notifications through your online banking app. This way, if there are any changes to be aware of, you’ll be notified at once, and this could reduce the temptation to check your account excessively.
Enabling notifications could also be beneficial to those who tend to overspend. Payment methods that are designed to be quick and easy, such as contactless, can make it easy to forget what we’re spending. Seeing that payment notification pop up could remind you to be mindful of your spending. - Limit your exposure to media and unfollow any triggering content
Whether it’s daunting news headlines or unhelpful ‘influencers’ showing off their recent spending sprees, you have every right to avoid any content that triggers your financial habits. - Set a budget
This is a useful tip for both ends of the money dysmorphia spectrum.
Start by calculating how much guaranteed income you have coming in each month and then subtract the overall cost of your essential outgoings, such as housing, bills, and food. The money you’re left with once all your necessary costs have been deducted is your disposable income, and this can be saved or spent however you choose. Being aware of your disposable income could ease anxiety. - Open up the conversation about money
Money sometimes feels like a taboo subject, and this could feed into the shame we might experience surrounding our finances. Whatever your financial situation, you deserve a safe space to openly discuss your concerns, whether that’s with a loved one or a professional, such as a GP. - Seek support
We will talk about this in more detail further down the page.
Is money dysmorphia an official health condition?
As of January 2026, money dysmorphia is not considered to be an official, diagnosable condition. However, that’s not to say that it can’t harm your well-being.
It’s also worth noting that worrying about money and obsessively checking your finances could signal an underlying mental health condition, or worsen an existing one, such as anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
What to do if you think you have money dysmorphia
If you think that you might be struggling with money dysmorphia, please reach out and ask for help.
If your relationship with money is affecting your everyday life and/or has triggered mental or physical health symptoms, please contact your GP as soon as you feel ready. They will listen to you with empathy and point you in the right direction to access resources and services that could be helpful. This could include talking therapies or community groups.
In addition to this, charities and organisations, such as StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline, offer free, confidential, and impartial advice on a range of financial topics.
You can find out more about the support available for money worries in our guide, Money and Mental Health.
Concerned that you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse? Please click here.
Remember…
Having lived through the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis that followed, it’s no wonder so many of us have experienced changes in the way we feel about money.
The world can feel uncertain at times, particularly when it comes to money, and it’s only natural that we may subconsciously react to the headlines and what’s going on around us.
Please don’t let a difficult relationship with money stand in the way of your happiness and well-being.
If you recognise negative financial patterns or increased financial anxiety, please don’t suffer in silence. Money dysmorphia is absolutely nothing to feel ashamed of.
