Bipolar and impulsive spending

Do you sometimes spend money impulsively? Make risky financial decisions or buy things you don’t need or want? If so, this page can help you understand if impulsive spending could be a sign of hypomania – and the steps you can take.

Is impulsive spending a common symptom of hypomania?  

Yes. Impulsive spending – such as shopping sprees or reckless investments – is a common symptom of high mood in bipolar. 

During a period of hypomania, you may suddenly order things online you don’t want or need, buy expensive gifts, give money away and/or gamble.  

When is impulsive spending more likely to happen?  

For people living with bipolar, impulsive spending can be triggered by lots of different factors, including:

• stress – caused by things like exams, bereavement, trauma or divorce 
• change – caused by things like a new relationship or job, or a house move 
• jetlag – if you fly across time zones 
• substances – an excess of alcohol or caffeine, or illegal drug use 
• medication – if you don’t take it regularly, or a prescription change

What does impulsive spending during hypomania feel like? 

The signs and symptoms of bipolar are varied and unique to each individual. Here, two people living with bipolar share their experiences of hypomania:  

What causes impulsive spending during hypomania?

Researchers don’t know exactly what causes impulsive spending during hypomania.  

Recent research has found, however, that increased dopamine activity in the brain may contribute to financial risk taking.  

Dopamine is involved in the brain’s reward and motivation systems and can reduce your ability to consider long-term consequences.

Is impulsive spending always a symptom of high mood in bipolar?

No. Impulsive spending is not always a sign of high mood.  

Overspending can happen for many reasons not linked to hypomania, such as to reduce stress, relieve boredom, manage anxiety, celebrate success, cope with grief or gain a sense of control.

How do I know if impulsive spending is a symptom of hypomania? 

Impulsive spending is more likely to be a symptom of hypomania if:  

• you’re spending or giving away larger amounts than usual 
• you’re buying things you don’t need or want 
• you have at least two other symptoms of hypomania at the same time
• you’ve been spending impulsively for at least four days
• you’ve been through periods of impulsive spending before

What happens if I ignore a period of impulsive spending? 

Spending money can activate the brain’s reward system (which is strongly influenced by dopamine), making you feel good in the short-term.  

However, in a Bipolar Commission survey of people living with bipolar:  

• 1 in 2 had some form of debt due to their bipolar 
• 1 in 5 had mounting debt that was out of control 
• 2 in 5 said worrying about money had triggered a relapse 
• 15% had lost their home due to bipolar 

If your overspending is a symptom of bipolar, ignoring a period of hypomania can:

• disrupt your work, college or university life 
• impact your relationships with family, friends and colleagues  
• increase your risk of impulsive decision-making, such as reckless driving or unsafe sexual behaviour 
• damage your long-term financial security 
• lead to a manic episode, which usually needs treatment in hospital

What to do next

1. Use these tips to get your finances back on track
2. Get help from PayPlan – a free debt advice service 
3. Track your mood with our free range of resources
4. Get support from our friendly Peer Support team
5. Book an appointment with your GP or psychiatrist as soon as you can