“I'm ashamed of my debt”

What could be going on

Money shame: Fits if the debt feels like proof you're a failure, and you hide it rather than talk about it.

Financial strain: Could be real hardship. Debt is linked to poorer mental health, so the strain may be fact as much as feeling.

Ostrich effect: Check whether you avoid balances and letters, which often lets the debt grow out of sight.

Shame: Fits if the feeling is about who you are, not what you did. Check whether you'd judge a friend the same way.

Financial infidelity: Check whether you're hiding it from a partner, and what you fear they'd do if they knew.

Defectiveness/shame schema: Could be an older sense of being flawed that the debt now seems to confirm.

Also said as

• embarrassed about my credit card debt
• haven't told my partner about my debt
• ashamed of owing money
• debt makes me feel like a failure
• hiding debt from my family
• my student loan makes me feel worthless