I have to confess: when I first heard about this new “pyscho-babble” term (“sudden wealth syndrome”), I laughed out loud (lol). I mean: millions of people dream of getting rich, but when it happens they are having an identity crisis? Come on. But, as with many things, when you look at it closer, it seems there is truth in it. And it seems that the old saying “be careful what you wish for” still is a factor to be dealt with.
In short; after you win the lottery or inherit a lot of money maybe:
- You feel uncomfortably different from your friends and you’re afraid to tell them how you feel about your new status.
- Being wealthy makes for more guilt than pleasure.
- Instead of feeling powerful and decisive, you feel paralyzed and unable to decide how to spend your money.
- You can’t stand the envy of friends and acquaintances — you find yourself becoming more isolated.
- You feel like you don’t quite deserve the money and you can’t believe it’s really yours.
- You suffer from “ticker shock” and become obsessed with watching the stock market.
- You’re afraid that you’ll lose your money and your good fortune will simply vanish overnight.
“Prolonged Poverty Syndrome”
Well all this sure gives new meaning to the saying that money doesn’t make you happy, doesn’t it?
Now, to quote from a favourite movie of mine: there can only be a shadow if there is light. So, if there is a “Sudden Wealth Syndrome” I am sure that Dr.Tana Dineen is right when she – jokingly – says there must also be something called “prolonged poverty syndrome”.
The biggest problem with this syndrome is, that you can’t pay a shrink to help you with it. Now there is a paradox I guess. Some people don’t know what to do with their money and other don’t know what to do with their lack of it.
Ah well:
— “If you want to know what God thinks of money, look at the people he gave it to”