My father was a compulsive debtor and I learned to use debting as a way of expressing many feelings that included shame, embarrassment, fear of abandonment, unworthiness and more. First, let's look at the dynamic of debting. In every debting relationship there is obviously a debtor and a lender. However, many individual lenders have the same kind of emotional needs as debtors. If I have a strong fear of abandonment and feel alone, debting can help me feel connected.
Lending does the same thing.
However, debtors often feel ashamed and burdened by their debt, especially if they have trouble with repayment, while lenders get a feeling of power and control by giving the money and holding someone in debt. If the debt is not repaid, then lenders get to act out abandonment, betrayal, mistrust, and a feeling of being used. I have a friend, who I'll call Jim, who receives a comfortable income from a trust fund. Invariably, Jim has to struggle to get repaid, sending series of angry letters that threaten legal action. Occasionally, Jim does get his money back.