Mounting Debt May Lead To Serious Illness

WASHINGTON (AP) - For a growing number of Americans, debts
aren't just rough on their wallets, but also on their bodies.
When people are dealing with mountains of debt, they're much
more likely to report health problems, too, according to an
Associated Press-AOL Health poll. Those problems include ulcers,
severe depression, even heart attacks.
A psychologist who analyzed the survey for the AP says millions
of Americans are "suffering terribly" due to their debts. Those
are people reporting high levels of debt stress and at least three
stress-related illnesses.
Medical research has linked chronic stress to a wide range of
ailments.
And the current tough economic times and rising costs of living
seem to be leading to increasing debt stress. An index tied to the
AP-AOL survey says it's 14 percent higher this year than in 2004.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)