Experts named the causes of financial anxiety and ways to deal with it

Gleb Slobin and Natalia Shchankina, specialists of the DirEct Dialogue Center, told us what causes financial anxiety and how to deal with it.

In an interview with Radio 1 on Monday, January 19, experts explained why money is becoming a kind of "projective technique" — a psychological test that reveals a person's basic fears, attitudes and expectations.

Experts emphasized that financial anxiety often leads to chronic stress, conflicts, and even divorce, while there may not be a real shortage of money. Psychologists note that the fear of being left without funds is rarely related to the actual state of accounts and more often reflects a deep sense of insecurity.

So, money in the modern world has become a symbol of stability, so any threat to the usual way of life — an unpleasant conversation at work, unexpected expenses or delayed payments — easily triggers alarming scenarios. In this state, a person is prone to catastrophization, quickly imagining the darkest options for the future. At the same time, financial anxiety can persist at any income level: fear only changes shape, but does not disappear.

Experts emphasize that anxiety about money often hides other fears — loss of control, status, or support. Working with this condition does not begin with calculating expenses, but with realizing the true causes of worries and evaluating real resources. Psychologists advise strengthening a sense of security through the support of loved ones, the development of skills and backup plans, and if anxiety becomes obsessive and interferes with life, seek professional help.

In November 2025, a study by the analytical center showed that physical activity is the main method of dealing with stress among Russians. Almost half of the participants (46%) choose sports as a way to cope with stress, according to 360.ru . One in four survey participants reported experiencing anxiety at least once a week, and about 12% live in a state of constant stress. The respondents cited financial difficulties as the main source of concern, noting that having savings would help them feel more confident and calm.

Natalia Birina, a psychotherapist, said that the development of depression or anxiety is associated with a number of factors, and today such conditions are "getting younger." According to her, people are now under prolonged stress due to work and financial instability, writes NSN.

Psychologist Olesya Berezhnaya spoke about the importance of studying financial literacy from childhood. According to her, the isolation of children from financial reality creates a distorted perception of money as a source of problems, which in the future leads to financial management and widespread myths: "money is evil," "money is not for me."

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.