Is the Economy Hazardous to Your Health?

Let me start by saying no one is immune from the disastrous economic crisis America is facing. Everyone always feels like their situation is unique, or that they are the only ones who are really struggling. The media says things are getting better, but you aren't so sure. The frustration, shame, and secrecy surrounding painful uncertain financial times, makes life feel unbearable to many.

Back in 2008 I too found myself dealing with woeful real estate investments and a difficult financial situation. With debt and a failing economy making every day a drudgery, I was shocked at how much the situation impacted my life. Every day I realized my dreams, aspirations, and dare I say self-worth, was all caught up in my finances that were rapidly slipping away. What also were dwindling away were my appetite, my sleep, and my hope for the future. I realized that I was in a battle for my own health and well being.

The good news is that for some, including myself, the major losses are over. I learned to re-group, live with less, and scale down on wants vs. needs. But for many, the tornado is still swirling around. Bankruptcies, foreclosures, and lost investments are literally taking people down. Just today I read that actor Nicholas Cage is selling both his mega mansion in Las Vegas as well as his home in Bel Air. He too is feeling the financial crunch of finances, poor investments, and over extending, despite his deep pockets. Again, no one is immune from the downturn no matter how alone in our personal mess we might feel.

With out doubt people's physical and mental health is being affected by the crunch. Many individuals who never carried a "mental health" diagnosis find themselves dealing with anxiety and depressive disorders never before experienced. Symptoms can be seen in ways such as withdrawing from the outside world, sleeping too much or too little, and decrease or increase in appetite. Unfortunately for some, one of the main outlets can be "self-medicating" from undiagnosed depression and anxiety, and the use or increased use of alcohol and drugs.

Despite the economic recession, Americans’ overall consumption of distilled spirits increased in 2008, according to a handbook released Monday by the Beverage Information Group. This is just one recent fact that has come out in regards to increase use of alcohol. While expensive brands might suffer, cheap spirits and wine sales have actually increased steadily. You see, people have the misconception that substances like alcohol and marijuana actually calm the nerves. In fact consuming even one unit of alcohol has a negative effect on the nervous system. While a glass of wine might aide the heart, for those prone to anxiety and depression, and actively dealing with the stress of severe financial loss, they would be well advised to avoid alcohol as much as possible. Certainly daily consumption will not only have drastic effects on overall mental health, it could be the rubber band that springs certain pre-disposed individuals into full alcoholism.

Not only does alcohol and marijuana directly affect the mood and functioning of a stress ridden individual, it also prevents the person from doing that which will help them deal with stress more effectively. When I see patients in my practice who are undergoing financial stress, I quickly assess their use and increased use of substances. I then check how much they are accomplishing the following four key components in fighting financial disaster and avoiding serious substance abuse and other mental health problems.

First, how much sleep is the patient getting? With out good sleep, depression, anxiety, and potentially even psychosis are possible. Alcohol directly affects the circadian rhythm, or natural sleep rhythm of the brain, not allowing one to get “restorative sleep”. Without this type of sleep, the mind can not function at optimal levels and severe anxiety can cause panic attacks and other psychological impairments in mood and functioning. One must get at least six hours of good quality sleep to maintain in a stress filled financial environment.

Second, is the patient eating properly? Has depression created a situation where the individual's diet has become poor. Are they eating at all, or are they gorging themselves? There is a direct correlation between food intake, insulin activity, and mood, and all are related when looking at diet and how it effects mental health. Those that are under high levels of stress sometimes resort to eating for comfort, or becoming so agitated they often don’t eat at all. A good diet is a key component to good mental health.

Third, exercise! I recently saw a patient who had stopped drinking daily much to his credit. After months of clinical work he realized that he had a problem and that financial difficulties were exacerbating his drinking. After he stopped, he soon realized he had tons of anxious energy surrounding his finances and that his drinking had temporarily served as a crutch to block out much of this restless anxiety, As an intervention I recommended that he return to daily activities that he liked to do. He loved biking, and since he began getting out-side getting exercise, he noted that he was not as stressed as he had once been. Oh, and did I mention he can sleep again for the first time in years since he quit his drinking?

The fourth and final component needed to weather the economic storm is support. There are many ways of getting this support, but often for those undergoing bankruptcy and foreclosure, there is a sense of shame and humiliation that often prevents people from getting their emotional needs met. This is why it is critical to be able to open up to trusted friends and family and utilize their support. If these members don’t exist, and often even if they do, it is wise to reach out to a professional. Psychotherapy can be one of the best ways to experience, deal with, and digest the depression and anxiety we feel from losses associated with layoffs, home foreclosures, and bankruptcies. These professionals can also diagnose more serious impairments and refer to psychiatrists if any medication might be needed to "get over the hump”. Therapy can also be useful to discover new talents and new outlets that might have gotten lost in the hustle of yesterday, but desperately need to be uncovered or re-discovered, to be whole, prosperous individuals tomorrow.

Financial stress is one of the most difficult stresses to hurdle. It can often cause depression and addiction, resulting in more serious problems such as divorce and even suicide. It is important to know that substance use can magnify these problems in an already difficult time. It is also critical to remember that there are steps we can all take as individuals to get through the tough times. Monetary gain and financial ruin do not define our worth and happiness as individuals. While this recent disaster might make life more difficult, it does not have to take us under. Reach out for support, cut down on drug and alcohol use as much as possible, and remember that the sun will rise again whether you live in your dream home or whether that home was repossessed. A rainbow is still a rainbow no matter where you live, or how much money you currently have in the bank. Furthermore, the only way to see that rainbow is to wait until the end of the storm; and no one can take that away from you.

If you need any further support or advice don’t hesitate to contact me. http://www.matthewbruhin.com/