Women more stressed out than ever and coping in ways that could hurt their health

NBC
Published: October 30, 2008

Bad news about money is taking its toll.

A new survey finds Americans are feeling more stressed out.

According to the American Psychological Association, some people are coping in ways guaranteed to hurt their health.
We’re stressed out and we’re showing it.

“Eating, staying up late trying to figure out you know how we gonna pay this bill,“ said stressed-out Joanne Shamsid’deen.

Americans say their stress is significant.

According to the American Psychological Association women are feeling it more than men.

But both sexes are soothing their stress in ways that are counter productive.
“I eat more. I find myself eating a lot of candy,“ said one person.

“Smoking more,“ said smoker Tanya Tiggs.

Tiggs full time job has been reduced to part time.

She says she knows she reaching for cigarettes more than ever before.
“Mentally I guess it just makes you think you’re easing something. I don’t know. I don’t know,“ said Tiggs.

Elizabeth Robertson says she’s begun having medical issues she feels are directly related to recent money woes.

“Right now I am actually having, pass out and seizure spells because of stress in my life. It’s a lot of personal things but on top of things just never always feeling like you are living paycheck to paycheck,“ said Robertson.

Elizabeth says therapy has helped, but,

“That’s another struggle I am dealing with right now, is trying to find the money to afford to see a therapist,“ Robertson said.

According to the council for relationships, people are beginning to cancel appointments with their therapists, trying to save money.

But they say that can only make matters worse.

They say first try asking for a fee reduction.

And don’t be shy about asking your current therapist about switching to a mental health professional who charges less.

“I work out a lot so I think that is a good outlet,“ said Nicole Alexander.

Medical student Nicole Alexander says for her, going to church helps.

David Shamsid’deen agrees.
“You also pray to god that you can get a solution and that there is going to be some sort of answer,“ said Shamsid’deen.
Psychologists advise us all to reach-out to family, friends and trusted advisors.

They say support from others really helps.

Stay focused and write down your plan for managing your finances.