Submitted by la334 on Tue, 21/10/2025 - 11:10
New research by Monzo suggests that adults with ADHD face an average additional cost of £1,600 per year, often due to impulsive spending, missed bill payments, and difficulties maintaining a budget. A YouGov survey of more than 500 people found that these financial struggles have a significant emotional impact, with 80 per cent of women and 71 per cent of men reporting that ADHD-related money issues contribute to anxiety.
For Ms Rogers, a 38-year-old from Devon, impulsive spending often took the form of buying books — a way to escape from everyday stress. In addition to ADHD, she manages Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid that can intensify symptoms such as fatigue and anxiety.
According to Professor Barbara Sahakian, an ADHD specialist at the University of Cambridge, the condition’s core symptoms — impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention — play a central role in these challenges. She explains that executive dysfunction, a common feature of ADHD, affects planning, problem-solving, and the ability to assess long-term consequences.
“Paying bills is something most people would feel anxious about if they didn’t do it,” Professor Sahakian notes. “But for people with ADHD, such everyday tasks can be particularly difficult. Things may drop out of working memory as something more interesting captures their attention.”
This research highlights the complex relationship between ADHD and financial well-being — showing that for many, managing money isn’t just about discipline or awareness, but about navigating the cognitive hurdles that shape daily life.