There's a lot of financial anxiety going around these days. In fact it's causing a lot of headaches, stomach problems and even depression. Even though you can't control the price of food or gasoline, you can protect yourself from debt stress--which can take a real toll on your body.
With prices climbing, people all over the country are on edge. Ernest Gordon, an engineer, says lately his family has gone from living an "upper middle class" life, to wondering how they're going to pay the bills.
"I have many, many friends who have lost their homes, that normally I could help. I can't help them now. I'm trying to, my wife and I are too busy trying to maintain and it's sad."
Psychiatrists say it's normal to feel stressed - when you're facing a major financial loss, like being laid off or losing your home, but there's a distinct difference between stress and depression.
"So, I think it's helpful for people to recognize that if really bad things are happening, they should be on the look both inside themselves and inside their loved ones that these are the sorts of things that can leave them depressed," says Dr. Charles Raison.
“Depression is more of feelings of sadness that just won't go away--no matter how well your life is going so it’s helpful to be proactive by taking small steps to try to control what you can of your situation.”
1. Start by getting a clear picture of your financial situation, so you know what you're facing.
2. Once you have that, get professional help to come up with a plan to start paying off your debts. Even if it involves difficult choices, we know if you feel that you are ahead of the game in making these choices rather than that the choices are being forced on you, then that protective against getting depressed.
3. Regular exercise, eating healthy and avoiding too much alcohol will help you better cope with stress.
4. Reach out to someone you can trust.
5. And be honest about what you're going through.
“Everyone has to face difficult circumstances, but I can tell you there is overwhelming data that people who have just one or two people they can really be open with, drop the pretenses, and really lay it on the line, are much less likely to die, are much less likely to have heart disease, much less likely to get depression.”
Links & Helpful Information
WebMD: Managing Marriage and Money Problems