Many blame economy for increased stress in their lives

The ongoing financial turmoil is roiling the American psyche.

More than eight in 10 Americans blame the economy for much of the stress in their lives, according to a national study released this week by the American Psychological Association.

Crisis hotlines are hearing the anguish, while psychologists and other therapists say they are seeing personal woes tied to the faltering economy.

But the hard economic times have their own irony: Financially strapped patients are also cutting back on therapy sessions when they may need them most. Patients have been curtailing visits -- or dropping out of therapy altogether. An hour session with a psychologist can cost upward of $150 or more.

"People are clearly worried about their money, their work and housing costs against the backdrop of this humbling economy," said Jana Martin, a Long Beach, Calif. psychologist and a spokeswoman for the psychological association, which conducted its study prior to the recent dramatic stock market plunge.

The stock market has never been for the faint of heart, but the roller coaster rides over the past few weeks have produced some white-knuckle days.

"There's real anxiety about how (patients are) going to cope, and what they're going to do," said Jacqueline Horn, a Sacramento, Calif. psychologist. "It's the first time in my lifetime that there's been this across-the-board financial panic and financial scare. This is the worst I've ever seen it."

Therapists say the consequences are readily apparent: Folks can't sleep. They're irritable. Some have spiraled into depression.

In a span of mere months, Horn had a patient who saw his marriage fall apart. He's had to let some employees go, as his business began to struggle and his fortunes to fall. "Now, he's even talking about taking medication. He never would have considered it previously," said Horn, who declined to identify the patient. "He's depressed and anxious all the time -- and it's directly related to the financial crisis. He's gotten obsessed about the stock market, allowed himself to get distracted from running his business. ... My patients are much more scared."

People are finding ways to cope, but mental health professionals worry some are turning to unhealthy habits, such as consuming alcohol or using cigarettes to calm their nerves. The APA survey found that nearly half of Americans overeat or eat unhealthy food to manage stress. About a fifth of those surveyed said they drink alcohol and slightly less said they smoke to reduce anxiety. A smaller number go on shopping sprees they can ill afford.

There are better ways to cope, such as talking problems through, said Debra Moore, director of Fall Creek Counseling Associates, which has offices in Carmichael, and Roseville, Calif.

"When you're living in stress and in times of uncertainty, you're going to have to find some way to level things out. Otherwise, it's going to come out in all aspects of your life," Moore said.

X ... X ... X

How to deal with all that stress:

To help deal with the economic and emotional distress, the American Psychological Association offers these tips:

-- Pause but don't panic. Pay attention to what's happening around you but refrain from getting caught up in doom-and-gloom hype, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and bad decision-making. Avoid the tendency to overreact or to become passive. Stay focused.

-- Identify your financial stressors and make a plan. Take stock of your particular financial situation and what causes stressful feelings. Write down specific ways you and your family can reduce expenses or manage your finances more efficiently. Then commit to a specific plan and review it regularly.

-- Recognize how you deal with money-related stress. In tough economic times, some people are more likely to relieve stress by turning to unhealthy activities such as smoking, drinking, gambling or emotional eating. The strain also can lead to more conflict and arguments. Be alert to these behaviors.

-- Call a credit counselor or a financial planner. You may also want to talk with a psychologist to help you address the emotions behind your financial worries, manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors.

(E-mail Bobby Caina Calvan at bcalvan(at)sacbee.com)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)