The emotional and mental health impact of financial stress, particularly from credit card debt, has significantly worsened among Americans from 2022 to 2025, according to a recent survey by Debt.com. Despite a notable decrease in inflation rates from 6.5% in 2022 to 2.3% in 2025, the psychological burden of debt has not alleviated, revealing a concerning trend in the nation’s financial and mental well-being.

Credit card debt emerges as a primary source of emotional distress, with more than 23% of respondents now avoiding social outings due to their debt, up from just over 10% in 2020. The survey also found that over 13% of Americans are avoiding dating because of their credit card debt, underscoring the profound effect financial stress has on personal relationships and emotional health.

Howard Dvorkin, CPA and chairman of Debt.com, emphasized the lasting impact of credit card debt, stating, ‘Inflation might have dropped, but the damage is done. Credit cards are the most widespread form of debt, which means they leave the deepest scars.’ The survey’s findings support this, with a significant increase in negative emotions tied to financial stress. Feelings of hopelessness and sadness when reviewing credit card bills have surged from 6% and 7% in 2022 to nearly 22% in 2025, respectively. Additionally, the percentage of people losing sleep over debt has more than quadrupled in the same period.

The convenience of credit cards, while beneficial for transactions, is now a source of mental health issues for 71% of respondents, with 43% feeling stressed after using their cards. Nearly 40% avoid reviewing their monthly statements due to anxiety, and 25% admitted to applying for a credit card while already feeling sad or stressed.

Beyond credit card debt, the survey also sheds light on the mental health impacts of ongoing inflation and student loan debt. Seventy-four percent of respondents report feeling anxious about rising prices, with 23% saying it affects their focus at work. Student loan debt adds another layer of stress, with 88% of borrowers in default worrying about wage garnishment or loss of tax refunds, and nearly one in four owing more than $50,000.

Dvorkin concludes, ‘Our mental health is deeply connected to our financial well-being. Having open conversations and providing tools to manage debt is essential to easing the emotional burden many families face today.’ The survey, polling 1,000 U.S. adults, underscores the urgent need for resources and support to address the intertwined challenges of financial stress and mental health.

This news story relied on content distributed by None. Blockchain Registration, Verification & Enhancement provided by NewsRamp. The source URL for this press release is The Rising Mental Health Crisis Linked to Credit Card Debt and Financial Stress.