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The economy isn’t just hurting people’s financial health… it’s also making them sick. A recent poll claims people facing foreclosure may lose their health along with their house. As Whitney Ray tells us, people in debt report more ulcers, heart attacks and back pains than people with good credit.

Hear it Here: Finacial Woes Cause Heath Problems

Few states are feeling the foreclosure pain like Florida. Attorney
General spokeswoman Sandi Copes said people are getting desperate.

“If you’re trying to save your home, you’re going to go to anyone who
offers you assistance or offers you a way out. Many times those offers
are not legitimate and you’re going to end up losing your home,” said Copes.

Florida State University Professor Charles Figley researches natural
catastrophes and the stress storms cause victims. Figley said people who
lose their homes to foreclosure feel the same kind of stress as storm
victims the only difference, foreclosure victims blame themselves.

“They fundamental thing that sets them apart is the shame and the
embarrassment, that they’ve let themselves down they’ve let their family
down,” said Figley.

A recent poll suggests debt stress is making people sicker today than it
did in 2004. More than 40 percent of people surveyed say they’ve had migraines
because of financial problems, compared to just 15 percent in 2004.”

More than 20 percent suffered from depression and six percent reported
heart attacks. Figley says people who are stressed don’t sleep well and
their immune system suffers. Massage therapist Jennifer Mason said many
of her clients stay up at night worrying about debt.

“Their mind is clearer because they actually become alert and yet
relaxed after a massage,” said Mason.

Councilors say people need to deal with financial stress, so they don’t
lose their health along with their house.