The 3 Pillars of ADHD Treatment

ADHD and Money

The Struggle Is Real (and Expensive)

Maybe You can Relate?

The Hobbyist Who Over-Commits
Sarah’s fingers hover over the “Buy Now” button. A ceramics wheel this time. It’s perfect. She can already see herself creating stunning mugs for all her friends, launching a side business, becoming the next big thing on Etsy! She presses the button with the enthusiasm of a Pinterest-addicted dreamer. The ceramics wheel arrives, and it’s everything she imagined—except for the fact that it’s been sitting in her garage for three months, untouched, next to the oil paints, the yoga mats, and that ukulele from two summers ago. Total amount spent on her creative empire? Too much. Total number of mugs made? Zero.

The Financial Avoider
Jessica has developed a superpower: financial denial. She never checks her bank account. Not once. Her strategy is simple: assume there’s no money and live like a monk. No lattes, no new clothes, no nights out. It’s easier that way. Growing up, she watched her mom blow money on stuff they didn’t need, and she swore she’d never end up in that kind of debt. So now, every month, she just automatically deposits her earnings and then leaves everything in her checking account where it isn't even earning interest. What if she’s doing okay? She wouldn’t know, because checking her balance means facing the what-ifs, and she’s not about to do that.

The Subscription Juggler
Then there’s Emily, the queen of spreadsheets... kind of. She has receipts, bank statements, and hastily scribbled notes on the back of grocery lists scattered all over her house. The good news? She tracks every expense. The bad news? It’s all a mess. She’s constantly worried about money but never seems to have enough time to figure out where it’s all going. Every month, she’s shocked at how much she’s spending on random subscription services she doesn’t even use. That skincare box? Cancel it. The obscure streaming service she forgot about? Cancel it. The problem is, finding all those sneaky subscriptions is like finding a needle in her very ADHD haystack.

ADHD and Money: The Childhood Stories That Stick

Here’s the thing: ADHD and money issues don’t just start when you’re an adult. A lot of the struggles we face with finances as grown-ups are rooted in the narratives we learned as kids. And for many people with ADHD, those narratives started forming in math class.

Remember math class? It was a battlefield. While everyone else seemed to “get it,” you were lost in a sea of numbers, word problems, and fractions that made your brain want to crawl out the window. Maybe you missed steps, forgot formulas, or struggled to keep up with the pace (because it was BORING). Teachers (and even parents) might’ve said things like, “You’re just not trying hard enough,” or “You're just careless”

Fast forward to adulthood, and now you’re managing your own money—but those old stories from childhood are still haunting you. “I’m just bad with numbers.” “I’ll never be able to budget.” “I can’t trust myself to manage my finances.”

But here’s the truth: feelings aren’t facts.
Sure, ADHD brains feel big feelings intensely, but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to be bad with money forever. Those childhood experiences don’t have to define your financial future. With the right support, you can learn new skills and manage your money confidently, even if math still gives you the cold sweats.

ADHD and Impulsivity: “But I Needed That…”

One of the hallmarks of ADHD is impulsivity. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby or splurging on the latest tech gadget, people with ADHD often struggle to think through the long-term consequences of their spending decisions. In the moment, it feels like a great idea! The problem is that impulsive purchases can quickly add up, leaving you wondering how you managed to drain your account on things you barely use.

This impulsivity often ties back to those childhood experiences. Maybe you weren’t great at focusing in school, and now, as an adult, you feel like you need to make up for it by diving into every new interest. It feels like redemption at first—until the purchases pile up and you realize you’ve started yet another project you may not finish.

Impulsive spending doesn’t just affect your wallet—it can also lead to guilt, frustration, and shame. When your spending doesn’t match your actual budget or long-term goals, it’s easy to feel out of control. And that’s when the avoidance kicks in (but more on that later).

What to Do:
ADHD therapy and treatment can help you develop better impulse control strategies. Working with a professional can teach you how to pause before making purchases, create more structured spending habits, and develop a system that helps you track your financial goals—without feeling deprived.

ADHD and Anxiety: Avoidance Is Not a Plan

Then, there’s the flip side of impulsivity: avoidance. Jessica’s strategy of not checking her account? Super common among people with ADHD who feel anxious about money. The fear of seeing a negative balance—or not knowing if you’ll have enough for bills—can lead to avoidance behaviors that only make things worse.
Financial avoidance is usually rooted in anxiety, which can often be traced back to childhood experiences with money. Maybe you grew up in a household where money was tight, or you witnessed impulsive spending that led to stress and conflict. Now, as an adult, you avoid your finances altogether because it brings up those same old feelings of fear and insecurity.
But avoiding your finances won’t solve the problem—it just makes the anxiety worse. This vicious cycle can keep you in a state of constant stress, with no clear plan for managing your money.

What to Do:
In ADHD therapy, you can work on the underlying anxiety that keeps you stuck in avoidance mode. With professional guidance, you’ll learn how to face your financial reality with less fear and more confidence. This can involve creating small, manageable steps to tackle money issues—like scheduling a weekly “money check-in”—without feeling overwhelmed.

ADHD and Disorganization: Subscriptions Everywhere

People with ADHD often struggle with organization, and that disorganization can be traced back to those childhood narratives of being “scatterbrained” or “irresponsible.” Maybe you grew up constantly losing homework, missing assignments, or feeling like you couldn’t keep track of anything. Now, as an adult, that same disorganization is showing up in your finances.
This means it’s easy to lose track of where your money is going. Maybe you’re paying for three different music streaming services, a handful of apps you don’t use, and a membership to that gym you haven’t visited since January. It’s not that you’re trying to waste money—it’s just hard to keep track of everything when ADHD makes organization feel like climbing a mountain.

What to Do:
ADHD treatment isn’t just about impulse control—it’s also about finding strategies that work for you. Whether that’s setting up a digital system to track your subscriptions or working with a financial coach who understands ADHD brains, the goal is to make organization easier and less stressful. A professional can help you cut through the clutter and find simple solutions for managing your money.

The Real Cost of ADHD and Money Mismanagement

Managing money with ADHD is more than just a numbers game. The emotional toll—feeling out of control, anxious, or ashamed—can be significant. And while it’s tempting to just let things slide, ignoring your financial health can have long-term consequences, both financially and personally.

Financial Strain on Relationships
Whether it’s a partner, spouse, or family member, money issues can strain relationships. If you’re constantly overspending, avoiding bills, or unable to contribute, it can lead to conflict and resentment. And if you’re the one always stressing about money, that anxiety seeps into your relationships, too. Financial therapy, along with ADHD treatment, can help you and your partner get on the same page and create healthier, less stressful money habits.
Emotional Toll
ADHD and money troubles often go hand in hand with feelings of guilt, shame, and frustration. You might feel like you’re “failing” at managing money, especially if you’re comparing yourself to friends or family members who seem to have it all together. The truth? ADHD makes money management harder—plain and simple. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to handle your finances in a way that works for you.

Why Holistic ADHD Treatment Matters

So, what’s the solution? It’s not just about downloading another budgeting app or forcing yourself to use a planner. ADHD requires a holistic approach that addresses both the impulsivity and anxiety that fuel financial mismanagement. Working with a trained professional who understands the full spectrum of ADHD—including medication, therapy, and skill-building—can make all the difference.

Therapy helps you understand your relationship with money and tackle any emotional or psychological blocks (hello, anxiety and avoidance).
Medication can help regulate impulsivity and improve focus, making it easier to stay on top of bills, budgets, and expenses.
Skill-building focuses on practical, ADHD-friendly tools for managing your finances without the overwhelm. This could be setting up automatic payments, simplifying your banking, or finding a system that actually works for your brain

The cost of not addressing your ADHD and money habits? Not just financial strain—but emotional stress and relationship tension as well. The good news is that with the right support, you can learn to manage your money in a way that feels less chaotic and more empowering.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!

ADHD and money don’t have to be enemies. Yes, it’s more challenging to manage finances when impulsivity, anxiety, and disorganization are part of the mix—but it’s not impossible. By working with a professional and taking a holistic approach to ADHD treatment, you can finally get a handle on your finances—and stop feeling like you’re drowning in receipts, subscriptions, and spontaneous purchases.

You don’t have to do it alone. And the peace of mind that comes from finally getting your money situation under control? That’s priceless.