The economy isn’t just hurting people’s financial health… it’s also making them sick. A recent poll claims people facing foreclosure may lose their health along with their house. People in debt report more ulcers, heart attacks and back pains than people with good credit.

Few states are feeling the foreclosure pain like Florida. The Sunshine State has the 4th highest foreclosure rate in the nation. Attorney General Spokeswoman Sandi Copes says people are getting desperate.

“If you’re trying to save your home, you’re going to go to anyone who offers you assistance or offers you a way out. Many times those offers are not legitimate and you’re going to end up losing your home.”

Florida State University Professor Charles Figley researches natural catastrophes and the stress storms cause victims. Figley says people who lose their homes to foreclosure feel the same kind of stress as storm victims. The only difference… foreclosure victims blame themselves.

“The fundamental thing that sets them apart is the shame and the embarrassment that they’ve let themselves down, they’ve let their family down, when in most circumstances it was way beyond their control.”

A recent poll suggests debt stress is making people sicker today than it did in 2004. More than 40 percent of people surveyed say they’ve had migraines because of financial problems, compared to just 15 percent in 2004.

More than 20 percent suffered from depression… and six percent reported heart attacks. Figley says people who are stressed don’t sleep well and their immune system suffers. Massage Therapist Jennifer Mason says many of her clients stay up at night worrying about debt.

“Their mind is clearer because they actually become alert and yet relaxed after a massage, a good therapeutic massage, you’re actually able to function much better at a much higher rate.”

Councilors say people need to deal with financial stress… so they don’t lose their health along with their house.

More than half the people in debt that were surveyed experienced lower back pain. Only 30 percent of people with little debt stress reported back problems.