Tax time not only affects your wallet, but it can affect your mental health. Trying to collect all of the information needed and then filling out the tax returns can cause stress. In addition, many people wait until the last second to try to file and this can cause even more anxiety.

However, this year, things may reach an even greater level to depression. With economic crisis the country is facing, anyone who owes money to Uncle Sam may be pushed to the brink.

In fact, in this economy, between the fear of losing a job and not having enough to pay bills in general, depression can occur.

Older Americans may be especially hard hit because their retirement savings are being drained, in addition to the usual losses the elderly face daily.

But there are tips to reduce stress and depression. Jeffrey Lafferman, MD from Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital says that recognizing the symptoms of stress and depression is the first step to getting the necessary assistance. He also has ways to help people cope. His specialty is gero-psychiatry…so he can assist those who are more prone to suffer from depression in any financial climate.

Source: LifeBridge Health