Debt Stress Syndrome: Everything You Need to Know


You may have never heard the term, but debt stress syndrome can happen to anyone and could be affecting you. 80% of Americans have debt and being constantly worried about the money you owe could be causing you to become unhealthy. If you're one of the millions of Americans who struggle with debt, here's what you need to know about debt stress syndrome: what it is, how it happens, and how to stop it.

Debt stress syndrome can cause emotional and physical complications.

The effects of stress are worse than you might think. When you're feeling stressed or worried, your body releases hormones that put you in a state of alarm. Your heart rate increases, your blood pressure rises, and your entire body falls into a heightened state. Being in this state constantly, which you can be if you're always worried about your debts, can cause an increased risk of diseases and infections. You'll become more at risk for heart disease and you might even become more susceptible to a simple cold. Your body can struggle to heal from small and large issues. You might get more frequent headaches or having chronic insomnia. Basically, if you're always worried about debt and finances, your body can start to fall apart.

On top of that, your emotional and mental health can suffer. You might become less patient with family and friends. Maybe you're always worried about what you can spend and your children are afraid to ask you for a small treat. You might feel angry all the time or develop an anxiety disorder. When you're always worried about debt, you experience constant mental health challenges.

Your debt can pile up before you even realize it.

The average debt for a typical United States household is $137,063, which is much more than the average income. This means most people are suffering from enormous amounts of debt they will most likely never be able to pay off. You might start collecting debt as young as 18 years old. For many Americans, student loans are how they build credit when they're young, but adolescents who don't pay off their loans quickly become older adults who rack up debt. Many older adults have student loan debt, either from their own schooling or taken out for a family member.

Young Americans start their adult lives with loans and many don't see the harm in adding credit card debt to the pile. For others, medical expenses begin to weigh them down and they have to request a forbearance on their student loans to pay their medical bills. People who have been struggling with debt for years can suddenly find themselves suffering from debt stress syndrome and feeling hopeless.

If you want to manage your debt stress syndrome, manage your debt.

There are a few easy ways to manage your debt stress syndrome. Start by working towards managing your debt. You may want to visit and work with a lawyer to discuss your rights in regards to debt collectors. These professionals can help you file a complaint and take your rights back into your own hands. You can work with a financial planner to manage your debt and put your finances back on track. Your syndrome will make it feel like you need to ignore your finances or debt, but putting things in order will help you become financially sound and help your body calm down from its alarmed state.

Once you've made steps to handle your debt, start handling your mental health. WithTherapy can help you find a therapist or psychologist who understands what you're going through and knows how to help you recover from this traumatic event. Your mental health can really suffer when you're feeling constantly anxious about your debt, so work with a professional and help yourself feel happier and healthier.

Don't live with debt stress syndrome. Work with professionals to recover your finances and your mental health. You deserve to feel safe and secure, no matter what you owe.