|
The stress of the economy on the body and mind
The ailing economy is costing Americans more than money. It's also means sleepless nights and a heap of emotional distress. A recent survey finds 8 out of 10 Americans now count the economy as a significant source of stress in their lives. "Stress raises your risk for a heart attack by 54-percent," Dr. Joseph Keenen said. Keenen is a heart disease prevention researcher and emergency room physician. "Stress erodes lots of our good behaviors," Keenen continued. Behavoiors, he says, like exercising and eating right, even going to the doctor when there's trouble. "Every day I'm seeing people in the emergency room. I'm seeing people who have acute problems and they've tried to put off every day care and a complication arises," Keenan said. "They're trying to cut back on their visits to save money," Fairview Northeast Clinic physician Jennifer Welsh said. Among the people waiting, according to Welsh, are the stressed out. "I have seen people recently who've waited a really long time until they're really feeling like they have no coping skills left. And we don't want you to wait," Welsh added. "The earlier we can intervene, the more we can prevent from getting worse," Dr. Dan Reidenberg said. The executive director of the suicide awareness group called SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) says calls for help are up nearly 25-percent. "They're worried about somebody who might be depressed because of the economy. Because of the financial pressures," Reidenberg says. There is definitely worry but there should also be hope. "There is hope because there are lots of treatments available and there are a lot of people around that want to help," Reidenberg said. "We can't make the economic situation change, but we can. There are medications, there's counseling, there's a lot of things we can do to make you feel better," Welsh added. "Also keep somewhat of a positive attitude," Keenen concluded.. Feel positive-- no matter what territory we find stock prices and home sales. Fairview officials say patients worried about costs should call their clinic to talk about charges, and some programs they might qualify for to pay for some or all of their care. For example, people who don't have insurance or qualify for Medicaid might be able to get help through Fairview's Community Care Program.
|
 MORE HEADLINES |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
