How Debt Can Make You Sick (and How You Can Be Healthy Again)

It’s no secret that people don’t like being in debt.  It can keep you from buying the things you want or from doing the things you want to do.  It may keep you from buying a house, a car, going on vacation, or even affording basic needs and necessities.  But did you know that being in debt can actually make you sick?

For many people, the way to deal with snowballing debt is to not deal with it at all.  To pretend it isn’t there. Not opening bills, not answering the phone because it might be a debt collector, not knowing how much is owed, and justifying debt are just a few ways that people exhibit denial about their financial situation.  The problem with denial and not actively dealing with debt is that late fees begin to pine up for missed payments and the balance just gets bigger and bigger.

Adding to the myriad of health problems associated with being in debt is the fact that few people in debt actually seek medical help.  And why would they? How is adding medical bills to the big pile of debt going to help relieve the health problems that come with debt?  Even with insurance, the cost of healthcare can be astronomical.

Having debt hanging over your head and worrying about how to pay for it can cause worry and lead to a host of serious health problems.  It can cause:

• High blood pressure.  This can lead to heart disease and stroke.
• Anxiety.  Constantly worrying about every penny and how you’re going to pay your debt.
• Anger and frustration.  When your overspending is the reason for your debt, you’re really the only one to blame.  But when you fall into debt due to something beyond your control, like an accident resulting in a mountain of medical bills, you can be left angry and frustrated.
• Digestive problems.  Often a result of anxiety, you may experience nausea or painful ulcers.
• Muscle tension.  The stress of debt can cause your entire body to be tense and cause back pain, neck pain, and even migraines.
• Sleep problems.  Laying in bed worrying about your debt can cause insomnia.  Your brain keeps churning with worry, keeping you awake.  Lack of sleep can be detrimental to your health, causing heart problems, stroke, diabetes, lack of concentration, and automobile accidents.
• Divorce.  Arguing about money is one of the main reasons people get divorced.  With debt can come resentment if one person had more debt going into the relationship or one person spends more than the other.
• A lowered immune system.  Stress from debt can lower your immune system and make it more difficult for your body to fight off viruses and bacteria.
• Depression.  This can be a serious problem for people in debt.  People may feel shame and embarrassment that they are unable to pay their own bills and give up, feeling like there is no way out.

But there is.

It may not be right for everyone but bankruptcy can be a way out.  At Miller, Hollander, & Jeda, we’ve been helping people who are experiencing financial difficulties get a fresh start for more than 35 years.  Whether you qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy which can eliminate your debt, or you file for Chapter 13 which will help you with a payment plan to pay your debtors what you can, bankruptcy can put your difficulties behind you where they belong.  Eliminating your debt through bankruptcy can be the first step to a healthier, happier you.

Call Miller, Hollander, & Jeda today at (239)775-2000 for a free consultation and find out if bankruptcy is your way out of debt.