'Our world is in the midst of an emotional meltdown'
SEATTLE -- Medical experts fear the recession is pushing more people into depression.
The ailment can trigger obsessive thinking, binge drinking, high levels of stress and anxiety. But there are ways to deal with the stress.
Worries are mounting for silk screener Judy Cameron, who has had to depend on her savings in recent months.
"The stress of it all, I just feel like quitting," she said. "We're too old to start over again."
Cameron's business is down, but her insurance premiums are up. Her property tax has doubled while her building's value has sunk.
"My husband doesn't even know it, but I'll just lay there and cry because I'm going, 'This isn't fair. We didn't do this to end up losing it all,'" she said.
To add to her stress, Cameron lost half her building's tenants in the last year. She said some of her tenants could no longer pay the rent.
With no sign of economic improvements ahead, Cameron's hope for better days has been wearing thin.
"This was supposed to be our retirement, and it's just not going to happen," she said. "Where's the light at the end of the tunnel?"
Psychiatrist and best-selling author Judith Orloff says the current economic climate is sparking more anxiety and stress than she's seen in 20 years of practice.
"Our world is in the midst of an emotional meltdown," she said. "This is a whole new form of depression coming on. And it's totally related to financial sources and insecurity, because everything we ever thought was secure is being taken away."
Orloff said people like Cameron should avoid catastrophizing the future and taking baby steps to reduce stress.
"Stay in just today and do small doable action steps, such as paying off $5 on your credit card," Orloff said.
And avoid starting your days with worries.
"Don't let negative thoughts take over the first thing in the morning. When you wake up breathe, center and focus on the most beautiful positive thing you can think of," she said.
Orloff recommends finding emotional support to avoid feelings of alienation and hopelessness.
And flip the switch. Attitude may be the only thing that can still be controlled in these hard times.
If you can't seem to turn off your worries, can't sleep or can't concentrate, consult your doctor. These are all signs that your stress levels are getting too high.
The ailment can trigger obsessive thinking, binge drinking, high levels of stress and anxiety. But there are ways to deal with the stress.
Worries are mounting for silk screener Judy Cameron, who has had to depend on her savings in recent months.
"The stress of it all, I just feel like quitting," she said. "We're too old to start over again."
Cameron's business is down, but her insurance premiums are up. Her property tax has doubled while her building's value has sunk.
"My husband doesn't even know it, but I'll just lay there and cry because I'm going, 'This isn't fair. We didn't do this to end up losing it all,'" she said.
To add to her stress, Cameron lost half her building's tenants in the last year. She said some of her tenants could no longer pay the rent.
With no sign of economic improvements ahead, Cameron's hope for better days has been wearing thin.
"This was supposed to be our retirement, and it's just not going to happen," she said. "Where's the light at the end of the tunnel?"
Psychiatrist and best-selling author Judith Orloff says the current economic climate is sparking more anxiety and stress than she's seen in 20 years of practice.
"Our world is in the midst of an emotional meltdown," she said. "This is a whole new form of depression coming on. And it's totally related to financial sources and insecurity, because everything we ever thought was secure is being taken away."
Orloff said people like Cameron should avoid catastrophizing the future and taking baby steps to reduce stress.
"Stay in just today and do small doable action steps, such as paying off $5 on your credit card," Orloff said.
And avoid starting your days with worries.
"Don't let negative thoughts take over the first thing in the morning. When you wake up breathe, center and focus on the most beautiful positive thing you can think of," she said.
Orloff recommends finding emotional support to avoid feelings of alienation and hopelessness.
And flip the switch. Attitude may be the only thing that can still be controlled in these hard times.
If you can't seem to turn off your worries, can't sleep or can't concentrate, consult your doctor. These are all signs that your stress levels are getting too high.