Financial Dysmorphia: How Thoughts About Money Ruin Our Lives (5 photos)

Millions, if not billions, of people around the world experience financial anxiety. Some are underpaid, some can't save for a rainy day, and others want to invest but are afraid of losing money. These are all signs of financial dysmorphia—an unpleasant condition that affects more and more people every year.





Fears Familiar to Many

Originally, the term dysmorphia, or dysmorphophobia, had nothing to do with money. In psychology, it described the condition of a person constantly dwelling on the flaws of their body. However, others often fail to notice these flaws, and the entire problem develops in the patient's mind from beginning to end.



Later, this word began to be used more broadly, with clarifying prefixes added. Financial dysmorphia is a condition in which a person is dissatisfied with their financial situation. In reality, they are doing much better than others and have no problems as such. Financial dysmorphia has many symptoms, but three are the main ones:

Fear of spending money, even on essential items;

Obsession with accumulation, where increasing the amount brings no satisfaction;

Accumulation of debt and compulsive spending that evoke feelings of shame.

Psychologists believe that such an obsession with money seriously impacts psychological well-being and affects quality of life.





Scientists have not fully studied financial dysmorphia and cannot pinpoint its exact causes. However, they believe that this condition is caused by a combination of numerous social and psychological factors. They identify several aspects that most likely trigger this attitude toward money.

Causes of the disorder

Childhood trauma is cited as one of the primary causes. People who experienced difficult financial situations at a young age are prone to this form of dysmorphia. Most often, this is a difficult financial situation in the family, leading to a decline in their standard of living. As an adult, such a person begins to earn money. But they view it primarily as a means of security. They are always anxious, even if they already have a substantial sum in their account.



Society's expectations are another reason. These days, many people believe that social status can only be achieved by being wealthy. The stereotype that a poor person can't be successful pervades the world. Therefore, most of us are under significant social pressure. People work harder and harder to achieve certain goals. But there are always people who are richer, and therefore, more successful by modern standards. Dysmorphia arises from the inability to enjoy what we already have.

Fear of the unknown also plays a role in financial dysmorphia. The world around us is unpredictable, and even wealthy people are not immune to the blows of fate. The unknown and uncertainty cause depression. Saving helps overcome this fear. Many believe that the larger the "financial cushion" saved for a rainy day, the easier it will be to survive shocks. This idea often becomes obsessive.



Psychologists believe that financial dysmorphia is a serious problem that should be addressed by a professional. Psychologists treat this disorder by encouraging people to enjoy life and stop looking at the future with anxiety. It sounds simple, but in reality, such therapy can take a considerable amount of time.