Derivatives are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 85.24% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading derivatives with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how derivative trading works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Let’s Talk: Trading and Vulnerability

At Shares.com, we know that trading isn’t always just numbers and charts. It can be exciting, sure — but also overwhelming. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, the emotional and mental side of trading can sneak up on you. And sometimes, it affects more than just your portfolio.

That’s why we want to talk openly about something that doesn’t get discussed enough: vulnerability.

Signs You Might Be in a Risky Spot

If you’ve ever found yourself doing one of the following, it might be a red flag worth paying attention to:

  1. - Using money meant for groceries, rent, or bills to fund a trade.
  2. - Taking risks with cash you really can’t afford to lose.
  3. - Ignoring loved ones or skipping work just to stay glued to the screen.
  4. - Clicking “buy” or “sell” based on emotion, not logic.
  5. - Obsessing over losses and replaying them in your head.
  6. - Taking medication or other substances just to handle the pressure.

These are all signs that trading might be impacting your wellbeing more than you realise.

This Can Happen to Anyone

And we mean anyone. You can be a seasoned trader and still hit a rough patch. Life happens. Stress builds up. And suddenly, the markets don’t feel like a challenge — they feel like a trap. Here’s what vulnerability might look like in action:

  1. - Putting your family’s financial stability at risk
  2. - Increasing trade sizes in a desperate attempt to win back losses
  3. - Taking on debt just to stay in the game
  4. - Hiding your trading habits from the people closest to you

Sound familiar? Take a minute to ask yourself:

  1. - Am I taking care of myself — eating well, exercising, stepping away from the screen now and then?
  2. - Is trading affecting how I sleep, eat, or function during the day?
  3. - Have I noticed tension growing in my relationships because of my trading habits?
  4. - Do I reach for medication just to manage the stress of it all?
  5. - Does my performance in the market shape how I feel about myself?
  6. - Have I ever felt hopeless or deeply down because of a bad trade?

If even one of those questions hit a nerve — don’t ignore it. It’s okay to ask for support. We’re here to listen.

What Happens If You’re Struggling?

At Shares.com, we’ve built systems that can sometimes pick up on behaviour that looks out of the ordinary. If something in your trading pattern suggests you might be having a tough time, one of our team members may reach out.

But here’s the thing — no system is perfect. Sometimes we miss the signs. Sometimes we get it wrong. So if you feel like something’s off, don’t wait for us to call. Reach out. Let’s talk it through together.

Whether you need to take a short break from the markets, pause your account, or just hear a human voice saying, “It’s okay to take a step back” — we’re here. And when you're ready to come back, we’ll support you with the tools and resources to help you trade with a clearer mindset.

Flagged by Mistake?

Hey, it happens. Maybe you were flagged because you didn’t update your financial info, or something in the system just didn’t reflect your real situation. If you hear from us and think it’s an error, just let us know — we’ll get it sorted, no problem.