Does thinking about your finances tend to make you anxious? Or even sick or depressed? You could be experiencing financial stress. This mental and sometimes physical condition is caused by a financial or economic event.

Financial stress can be a very different experience from person to person. Let’s look at the signs and symptoms, potential causes and how to manage financial stress.

Signs of financial stress

If you’re experiencing financial stress, there’s a chance you don’t recognize it right away. But there are several signs that could help you identify it.

Agitation

Do you become agitated when the subject of finances comes up? This is one of the most common symptoms of financial stress.

Avoidance

Do you avoid opening billing statements or looking at your bank account balance? Fear of looking at your financial situation can be a sign of financial stress.

Self-destructive behavior
 

Self-destructive behaviors could include hastily quitting a job out of frustration, overspending on things you don’t need, or even underspending on things you do need. These actions could be a subconscious way to help you feel like you’re in control when money is tight.

Hesitation

If you’re worried about your financial situation, you may second-guess yourself too much. This can prevent you from making important financial decisions.

Obsessive-compulsive behavior
 

If you’re constantly thinking about upcoming bills, your account balances, or economic news topics, this can also be a sign of financial stress.

Common causes of financial stress

Financial stress can be caused by widespread events in society, including:

• The COVID-19 pandemic
• An economic recession
• Rising costs for groceries and other necessities

But it can also be caused by events specific to your own life, such as:

• Healthcare costs
• Unemployment
• History of poverty
• Increasing debt

These types of events can create financial stress that lingers, even after you’ve improved your financial situation. For example, if you previously struggled to make ends meet after you lost a job, you may continue to experience financial stress in the future.

How to manage financial stress

There are several ways to help relieve financial stress, but the surest way is to work with professionals. Financial therapists can help you manage the emotional aspects of financial stress and financial experts can help you with the numbers.

Financial experts can help you create a budget and give you a clear picture of your financial situation. Then you’ll know if you really need to be concerned, or if you’re worried about nothing. Once you understand your finances better, they can help you create an action plan to improve your situation.