Is Debt Making You Sick?

Of course, most people in debt are "sick and tired" of being in debt. I mean is debt literally making you sick? It might be. A recent Associated Press-AOL Health poll reveals that people with higher debt stress levels have more serious illnesses as compared to those who have lower debt stress levels. For example:

• 27% [of people reporting high debt stress] had ulcers or digestive tract problems, compared with 8% of those with low levels of debt stress.
• 44% had migraines or other headaches, compared with 15%.

The poll goes on to compare anxiety, depression, and heart attacks among those with high and low debt stress levels.

It's unclear whether debt causes stress or the other way around. Trisha Torrey, About.com Guide to Patient Empowerment, calls it "A regular chicken-or-the-egg kind of question."

"Either you are already in debt due to... whatever... and as the debt continues to mount, you get sick from the stress. Then, because you get sick, you need to see the doctor which costs you more money....

>>OR<<

You or a family member gets sick from... whatever... and you need expensive care.... Then, the associated costs...continue to mount and you find yourself in deep debt, which then makes you sicker from the stress, of course, causing you to need more care...."

Head over to Patient Empowerment site and answer the poll question: Is your health affected by your debt?

Also on Health Care Debt:

• Will FICO Scores Dictate Health Care?
• Health Care Credit Cards. For Medical Bills Only

Dealing With Debt

• Make a Get-Out-of-Debt Plan
• 5 Ways to Reduce Your Debt
• Stop Debt Collector Calls