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Financial Stress

SNOMED Terms
 

  • Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

  • Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood

  • Antisocial personality disorder

  • Borderline personality disorder


Goals

 

  • Establish a clear income and expense budget that will meet bill payment demands.

  • Contact creditors to develop a revised repayment plan for outstanding bills.

  • Gain a new sense of self-worth in which the substance of one's value is not attached to the capacity to do things or own things that cost money.

  • Understand personal needs, insecurities, and anxieties that make overspending possible.

 

Behavioral Definitions
 

  • Indebtedness and overdue bills that exceed ability to meet monthly payments.

  • Loss of income due to unemployment.

  • Reduction in income due to change in employment status.

  • Conflict with spouse over management of money and the definition of necessary expenditures and savings goals.

  • A feeling of low self-esteem and hopelessness that is associated with the lack of sufficient income to cover the cost of living.

  • A long-term lack of discipline in money management that has led to excessive indebtedness.

  • An uncontrollable crisis (e.g., medical bills, job layoff) that has caused past-due bill balances to exceed ability to make payments.

  • Fear of losing housing because of an inability to meet monthly mortgage payments.

  • A pattern of impulsive spending that does not consider the eventual financial consequences.

 

Diagnoses

 

  • Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood

  • Bipolar I Disorder, Manic

  • Bipolar II Disorder

  • Major Depressive Disorder

  • Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Antisocial Personality Disorder

  • Diagnosis Deferred

  • No Diagnosis

Effects of Financial Stress

Here are some common effects of financial stress:

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Emotional Impact: Financial stress often leads to feelings of anxiety, worry, and overwhelm. 

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Physical Effects: Chronic financial stress can manifest physically in symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, insomnia, and changes in appetite. 

Relationship Strain: Financial stress can strain relationships with family members, partners, and friends. 

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Work Performance: Distraction, decreased productivity, and difficulty concentrating may arise when someone is preoccupied with financial concerns. 

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Decision-making Challenges: Cognitive functions can be impaired, leading to difficulties in problem-solving, planning, and prioritizing tasks. This can further perpetuate the cycle of stress.

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Health Consequences: Prolonged financial stress is associated with a range of health issues, including high blood pressure, heart problems, and increased risk of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. 

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Behavioral Changes: Financial stress can trigger changes in behavior, such as increased irritability, risk-taking tendencies, or withdrawal from social activities. 

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It's essential for individuals experiencing financial stress to seek support and resources to manage their situation effectively. Financial counseling, budgeting assistance, and mental health services can help alleviate the burden of financial stress and improve overall well-being.

How does Financial Stress affect your life?

Here are some of the ways financial stress can affect you:

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Mental health: Financial stress can lead to anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating. You may also feel hopeless or overwhelmed.


Physical health: Financial stress can also take a toll on your physical health. It can lead to problems like headaches, stomachaches, sleep problems, and even high blood pressure.


Relationships: Financial stress can strain your relationships with your partner, family, and friends. You may argue more about money, or you may withdraw from social activities because you can't afford to go out.


Work: Financial stress can make it difficult to concentrate at work. You may also be more likely to miss work because of stress-related health problems.

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If you're experiencing financial stress, there are things you can do to cope. Here are a few tips:

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Create a budget: This will help you track your income and expenses and see where your money is going.


Cut back on unnecessary expenses: There are probably areas where you can cut back on your spending.


Talk to a financial advisor: A financial advisor can help you create a plan to manage your debt and save for your future.


Seek support from friends and family: Talking to someone you trust about your financial stress can help you feel less alone.


Take care of yourself: Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. These things can help you better cope with stress.

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