Arabic version: سكان نورويتش يشاركون الصعوبات المالية المرتبطة باضطراب فرط الحركة وتشتت الانتباه
Laura Bush, a 31-year-old from Norwich, described managing her finances with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as feeling like “holding on to 10 helium balloons in a strong wind.” After taking out a credit card before her diagnosis in 2023, she found herself overwhelmed by debt, struggling to manage repayments to various lenders. “The anxiety and the shame of it [the debt]… it was all I could think about,” she said. According to BBC News, adults with ADHD can struggle with organisation, time management, following through on tasks and misplacing items, which can lead to financial challenges known as the “ADHD tax.”
Bush’s financial troubles began when she took out a credit card in her late teens to pay for a trip to Rome in instalments, leading her to accumulate thousands in debt. After seeking help from the charity StepChange, she has managed to pay off more than half of her debts. “With StepChange, it’s just keeping track of one balloon,” she noted, expressing a sense of renewed hope and knowledge after receiving assistance.
Nevaeh Denby, a 24-year-old hospital administrator from Gorleston, also shared her struggles with ADHD. During her university years, she found it difficult to manage her finances, often relying on an overdraft and not realizing how deep in debt she had become. Denby emphasized the emotional toll of her condition, stating that the pressure to keep up socially led her to spend more, resulting in feelings of embarrassment and fear about her financial future.
Angela, a 34-year-old with ADHD, described navigating the legal system as particularly challenging. She faced significant costs due to her condition, as tasks that might normally only take minutes required lengthy meetings for her. “It’s embarrassing, it’s debilitating, it’s humiliating,” she said, indicating the high financial burden of seeking necessary adjustments for her neurodivergence.
The charity StepChange found that a significant majority of neurodivergent respondents said their condition made managing money harder, with many not reaching out for help. Financial services are being urged to improve accessibility and communication for neurodivergent customers. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD, highlighting an independent review aimed at improving support and care for those affected.
