It’s never been easier to spend money. Contactless cards, one-click purchases on sites like Amazon and that late night Uber Eats delivery. But what if you are dealing with mental illness too? Mental illnesses have been shown to make you poorer, and our frictionless cash system is exacerbating the issue.
A study by the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute of over 5,000 people with mental health problems showed 93 per cent spent more when they were ill. Seventy-two per cent reported that their mental health problems had made their financial situation worse. With mental health problems affecting one in four people every year, this is a serious issue. It’s a complex problem with no easy answers.
As someone living with bipolar disorder, I know the reality of overspending all too well. Over my adult life I’ve been in thousands of pounds of debt. The cycle of mania and depression would lead to my spending becoming out of control— it was an impulse I couldn't manage when I was manic and a form of comfort when I was depressed. I’ve been threatened with bailiffs when I couldn’t afford to pay back what I owed and it’s caused unbelievable stress, worry and fear.
There are thousands of stories just like mine. I spoke to JJ, who has depression and ADHD and told me that neither of these conditions help keep his finances in check.
“Years ago I had a credit card with my bank. I believe that I only requested a credit limit increase once or twice, but they kept raising the credit without asking me, and I kept spending.
Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Reader's Digest UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Reader's Digest UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
EVERY SECOND COUNTS: TIPS TO WIN THE RACE AGAINST TIME
Do you want to save 1.5 seconds every day of your life? According to the dishwasher expert at the consumer organisation Choice, there’s no need to insert the dishwashing tablet into the compartment inside the door.
May Fiction
An escaped slave's perspective renews Huckleberry Finn and the seconds tick down to nuclear Armageddon in Miriam Sallon’s top literary picks this month
Wine Not
In a time of warning studies about alcohol consumption, Paola Westbeek looks at non-alcoholic wines, how they taste and if they pair with food
Train Booking Hacks
With the cost of train travel seemingly always rising, Andy Webb gives some tips to save on ticket prices
JOURNEY TO SALTEN, NORWAY, UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN
Here, far from the crowds, in opal clarity, from May to September, the sun knows no rest. As soon as it’s about to set, it rises again
My Britain: Cheltenham
A YEAR IN CHELTENHAM sees a jazz festival, a science festival, a classical music festival and a literature festival. Few towns with 120,000 residents can boast such a huge cultural output!
GET A GREEN(ER) THUMB
Whether you love digging in the dirt, planting seeds and reaping the bounty that bursts forth, or find the whole idea of gardening intimidating, this spring offers the promise of a fresh start.
Under The GRANDFLUENCE Suzi Grant
After working in TV and radio as an author and nutritionist, Suzi Grant started a blog alternativeageing.net) and an Instagram account alternativeageing). She talks to Ian Chaddock about positive ageing”
Sam Quek: If I Ruled The World
Sam Quek MBE is an Olympic gold medalwinning hockey player, team captain on A Question of Sport and host of podcast series Amazing Starts Here
Stand Tall, Ladies
Shorter men may be having their moment, but where are the tall women?