The Impact of Financial Stress on Health and Functioning
According to the American Psychological Association, 74% of Americans are stressed about money. If you find yourself experiencing stress due to financial concerns, you are obviously not alone, but the impacts of financial stress can be harmful and may need to be addressed. Financial stress can manifest itself in various ways including physically, emotionally, and socially.
First, the physical impact of financial stress may present in your body as migraines and headaches, severe anxiety, insomnia/sleep troubles, high blood pressure, muscle tension, and severe depression.
Next, the emotional impact of financial stress might show up as increased feelings of shame or guilt about spending money, over use of credit or debt to avoid feelings of scarcity, using money as a means of control, insecurities about self, and anxiety about money and the future.
And finally, the negative social impact of financial stressors may include increased isolation and avoidance of social events, insecurities and low self worth impacting relationships, and more irritability and triggers causing arguments and tension amongst family, friends, and coworkers.
If you find yourself identifying with a variety of these symptoms in any of the categories, it might be time to reach out for help! Therapy is a proven tool to help with stress and can teach an individual a variety of coping strategies to better manage stressors and overcome current financial challenges. Additionally, therapy can help individuals resolve underlying emotional issues and help build a better relationship with money and gain back control in their lives.
Through therapeutic interventions, you can work to set realistic financial goals and outline a budget to follow, cope with shame and other emotions to provide yourself a break, learn strategies to focus on the present moment and reduce fears of the future, and engage in healthier social outings and relationships.
Here at Lexington Counseling & Psychiatry, our providers understand the impact of financial stressors on an individual and will work to help you in all areas to reduce the impact of stress on your life and improve functioning physically, emotionally, and socially. Call us at 859.338.0466 to schedule an appointment with one of our providers. We accept most major insurances and EAPs to ease the cost burden. Our current offices are located in Lexington, Frankfort, and Richmond, KY. Here, at the Offices of Paul Dalton - Lexington Counseling and Psychiatry, we have been trusted mental health professionals in Central Kentucky for over 22 years! Feel free to check out our website at www.counselinglexingtonky.com to chat with us and find a provider that would be the right fit for you. Additional resources are listed in the articles below. We want to help!
Supporting articles:
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/financial-stress
https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/healthy-minds-monthly-poll-personal-finances-were
