Dec. 13--Merry Christmas? Happy holidays?
It won't be very merry or happy for many who are strugging this holiday season with their finances, depression and stress.
Those problems have been mounting as the weak economy has continued since a deep recession began in December 2007.
Adding to people's woes are health issues that are going ignored because of the cost of doctor office visits and prescription drugs.
The long-term consequences of ignoring physical and mental well-being could prove shocking.
"Physiological and mental health are low on the priority list when people are just trying to pay their mortgage," said Dr. Deborah Bevvino, a psychologist and behavioral-medicine coordinator at the Family Health Care Center, a Reading Hospital-based practice.
"Given that we've been in a recession for years, the amount of stress it has created will probably result in a national health crisis," she said. "The cost to the health care system will be tremendous."
Chronic illnesses will worsen, many individuals' conditions and illnesses will go undiagnosed and a lack of preventive medicine will make the crisis worse, she said.
The latest recession in the United States officially lasted from December 2007 to June 2009, but the economy is still struggling and unemployment remains near 10 percent.
Calls to help line up
The drawn-out and grinding strain is evident in the ever-increasing volume of calls to BerksTalkline, a nonprofit agency that provides a shoulder to cry on and referrals to social service agencies.
Calls to the service have increased more than 50 percent since the recession started.
"In most patients I see, the most important thing on their mind is the economy and how they are going to manage their finances," Bevvino said. "When money is an issue, people have increased stress that can manifest as depression or anxiety."
Unfortunately, many aren't seeking help for mental or physical health issues.
Cutting their own care
A nationwide survey of doctors has found that patients are skipping doctor visits, not refilling prescriptions and canceling or deferring preventive screenings such as Pap tests, mammograms and colonoscopies.
"A common story doctors are hearing is patients are breaking their pills in half or taking them every other day," said Dr. Samuel L. Alfano, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at St. Joseph Medical Center. "People are trying all kinds of things to get by with less medication."
Pharmacists are seeing people refill 30 days worth of medicine every 60 or 90 days, he said.
Patients are also attempting to get medications re-prescribed without having to pay for an office appointment with a doctor.
"The doctors are feeling uncomfortable with this because we want patients to get what they need but without interaction with them it's a tough thing to do," Alfano said.
Dealing with stress
Bevvino's recommendations for coping are varied because everyone is unique.
"First, you have to be aware you are stressed and your own internal barometer might not tell you that," Bevvino said. "It might take someone having to tell you, 'Hey, you seem stressed.' "
Taking deep breaths, going for a walk, having lunch with a friend and engaging in volunteer work are all ways to deal with stress, she said.
Above all, people should make sure they are eating well, sleeping well and nurturing their positive relationships with others, she said.
Those are the best ways to try make these holidays happy.
Contact Jason Brudereck: 610-371-5044 or jbrudereck@readingeagle.com.
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