Woman Tackles £35k Impulse Spending Debt After ADHD Diagnosis Curbs Urges
Georgie Howe, a 32-year-old from Colchester, Essex, has successfully cleared £35,000 in debt that accumulated over more than a decade due to impulse spending. Her journey to financial stability began after receiving an ADHD diagnosis at age 30, which helped her regain control over her spending habits.
Decade of Financial Struggle
Howe's financial troubles started when she was 18 years old and obtained her first credit card while attending university. Without proper guidance on responsible usage, she began using the card to fund social activities and purchase luxury items like the latest phone models. "Having undiagnosed ADHD made me chase the dose of dopamine that spending money and getting parcels through the door gave to me," she explained.
By age 23, Howe had amassed £20,000 in debt across multiple credit cards, store accounts with retailers like Argos, Next, and Very, plus PayPal credit. She described her situation as a downward spiral where she would use credit to avoid missing out on social events with friends.
Diagnosis and Medication Bring Control
In September 2024, after becoming a mother, Howe recognized symptoms of ADHD when she felt her mind was "too busy" to be fully present with her children. She received an official diagnosis through the NHS and began taking medication that significantly helped manage her impulses.
"As soon as I started taking medication, it massively helped with my impulse spending," Howe said. "It created dopamine for me, so I didn't need to get it from buying things." Stimulant ADHD medications work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain, which helps regulate impulsive behaviors.
Financial Recovery Strategies
Howe employed several strategies to tackle her debt:
- Consolidation loans to manage multiple debts with single monthly payments
- Lodging irresponsible lending complaints against creditors, which successfully halved her debt
- Developing new spending discipline through medication and conscious decision-making
She experienced setbacks during maternity leave in 2021 when she accumulated an additional £15,000 in debt, but ultimately cleared all obligations through determined effort.
Newfound Financial Freedom
Today, Howe reports feeling "free" and in control of her finances for the first time in her adult life. She can now shop without purchasing unnecessary items and makes conscious choices about which events she can afford to attend.
"Before I couldn't scroll online without buying something and thinking 'I'll worry about the money another day', but now I can just scroll past and not buy anything," she said. "It feels so freeing to be in control of my finances."
The business development manager now hopes to save for a house within the next five years—a goal that once seemed impossible during her years of financial struggle. She shares her story on social media to help others facing similar challenges with impulse spending and undiagnosed conditions.
