What is Money Dysmorphia? When Wealth Never Feels Enough

Disconnect between financial reality and feelings about money can cause stress and overspending.

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Money dysmorphia is a disconnect between how someone feels about their finances and their actual financial situation. It's not about income, but rather a belief that one is not financially secure even when the numbers show they are doing well. Conversely, money dysmorphia can also lead to overspending when someone comes into a large amount of money. The issue often stems from one's upbringing and money role models, and is exacerbated by social media comparisons. Money dysmorphia can be harmful, causing ongoing stress and financial insecurity, but financial professionals and therapists can help bridge the gap between money and emotions.

Why it matters

Money dysmorphia is a behavioral issue that can have real financial consequences, leading to stress, overspending, and financial insecurity, even for those who are objectively doing well financially. Understanding the root causes and getting professional help to address the disconnect between financial reality and emotions around money is important for overall well-being.

The details

Money dysmorphia is not about the math, but rather the feelings and attitudes around money that often stem from one's upbringing and money role models. Even high-net-worth individuals can suffer from money dysmorphia, believing they are poor when their net worth is in the millions. Social media and comparison culture exacerbate the issue by making it easier to measure oneself against others. Overcoming money dysmorphia requires getting an objective assessment of one's financial situation from a professional and working to rewire negative money mindsets.

  • The article was published on March 7, 2026.

The players

Joy Slabaugh

A certified financial planner and financial therapist in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and founder of the Wealth Alignment Institute.

Kaylee McClellan

A certified financial planner in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Sarah Maitre

A certified financial planner and founder of Camriel Advisors in Mount Shasta, California.

Naima Bush

A certified financial planner in New York City and financial guide for financial planning platform Fruitful.

Mike Michalowicz

A speaker and author who studies the behavioral side of money.

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What they’re saying

“I see folks with a lot of money who think they're poor. Legitimately, people with tens of millions of dollars who believe they're poor.”

— Joy Slabaugh, Certified Financial Planner and Financial Therapist

“It really does impact how you react to [money] now as an adult.”

— Kaylee McClellan, Certified Financial Planner

“I had a client who thought his net worth was $3 million. We dug in and realized his net worth was actually $9 million.”

— Sarah Maitre, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Camriel Advisors

“Social media has really made the distance smaller. We open our phone and see someone doing that and we're like, 'Oh, we can obtain this kind of success.'”

— Naima Bush, Certified Financial Planner and Financial Guide

“If I live in an affluent area, my perception is, the entire world is affluent. We believe that whatever we see on social media is representative of the world.”

— Mike Michalowicz, Speaker and Author

What’s next

If you are struggling with money dysmorphia, consider consulting a financial professional or therapist to get an objective assessment of your financial situation and work on rewiring negative money mindsets.

The takeaway

Money dysmorphia is a common issue that can cause real stress and financial insecurity, even for those who are doing well financially. Understanding the root causes and getting professional help to bridge the gap between money and emotions is key to overcoming this behavioral issue and achieving financial well-being.