It seems as though violent domestic crime is on the rise locally. In the last six days, there have been at least two murder suicides and a domestic threat that turned into a deputy shooting. What is responsible for the increase? Newschannel 7's Alexandra Hill tells us, some believe the recession and stress in general may be to blame.

"We average a murder a year, as a county as a whole, and this is really out of step for Washington County," says Sheriff Bobby Haddock.

Sheriff Haddock is referring to the double murder suicide Tuesday in Chipley, the most recent in a string of events.

Over just a short period of time, there was a murder suicide in Panama City Beach at the Cabana West apartments, a shooting in the Bayou George, and national headlines of Steve McNair's girlfriend shooting him and then herself.

Why the sudden surge in domestic crime?

Bay County Sheriff’s Investigator, Paul Vecker, says stress is a huge contributor.

"Stress does cause domestic violence because people sometimes don't know where to turn to," Vecker says.

An average of three women and one man are killed each day in the United States by an intimate partner. Vecker says most of the time it could be avoided if people recognize the warning signs.

“People do not want to become involved in domestic violence type situations. Let's stay out of it, we don't need to get involved. The failure of that is the end result, unfortunately," says Vecker.

Local psychologist, Dr. James Hord, says tough financial times lead to high amounts of stress. If you feel stressed, Hord recommends getting some structure back in your life to counter those emotions.

"If I were in that position I would hope I'd sit down and plan a plan for action, structure something, and start working on it systematically following through on the goals I set out to do. Then I'm going to be healthier, probably more productive in the long run, but it's going to be a lot more comfortable a life than it was just worrying, worrying, and worrying,” says Hord.

Talking to a trained professional is also a good stress outlet.

Dr. Hord has been a psychologist for over 40 years and says he's never seen his waiting rooms emptier than they are right now – a time when people could really use the help.

"When the economy gets tough, everything slows down. So people coming to my office slows down, going to lawyers slows down, all the places you can think of as being potentially helpful slows down, and that's not good for overcoming your problem," says Hord.

Whether it's stress, the economy, or simply the dog days of summer heat getting to you, there is help out there if you need it.

If you are in a domestically violent situation, Salvation Army offers free counseling and shelter. If you suspect something to escalate to domestic violence, Bay County Sheriff's office urges you to call and report it.