- Insomnia. Visions of debt collectors banging on doors, negative bank statements, impending lawsuits, foreclosures and repossessions are enough to spook anyone out of a good night's sleep. Sometimes people are able to drift off, only to wake up in the middle of the night wracked with nightmares. Other times, just falling asleep is impossible. Functioning on a couple of hours of sleep is not easy for anyone; imagine how bad it is for those who deal with it for weeks, months or even years.
- Teeth grinding. Ever been so consumed with a problem that you inadvertently clamp your jaw shut? Many people do this. I once had a client come to me holding a piece of cloth over his mouth, and he kept it there during the entire appointment. When I asked what was wrong, he said he had ground his teeth so badly that they cracked and some fell out. Unable to afford dentistry, all he could do was hide the damage and suffer.
- Stomachaches. People often exhibit stress through stomach and intestines ailments. In fact, just opening a credit card bill or collection notice can trigger a nasty cramp. Abdominal complaints range from sour tummies requiring daily doses of antacids to debilitating ulcers needing surgery.
- Weight loss or gain. Some people deal with financial worries by overeating. This, of course, leads to unintended and unwanted pounds. On the flip side, others simply can't eat or hold food in because they are so anxious. They become frail and weak to the point of sickness.
- Headaches. When all you're thinking about is a way out of your financial mess, that focus can tax the brain pretty severely. Hence, throbbing gray matter -- or even migraines.
- Skin eruptions. I recall a woman who was under such extreme pressure that her lower lip was in a constant state of blistering. Yes, it was painful, but it was also embarrassing. Interestingly, when she finally got her liabilities under control, the cold sores abated. I've seen money troubles result in other epidermis delights, such as acne flare-ups.
- Substance abuse. Do financial problems cause addiction? No. But if you have a propensity to turn to drugs or alcohol in order to cope, there's a good chance you'll go down that path. Of course, leaning on any kind of substance can numb you from the reality of your circumstances, but it solves nothing -- and the physical toll it takes is often devastating.
Article found on creditcards.com
No comments:
Post a Comment