Foreclosure-Related Stress, Suicide on the Rise?

Anxiety disorders, depression, and alcoholism – these are just a few of the emotional problems creeping up in the wake of the foreclosure crisis sweeping the country. If you need proof of the toll it’s taking on Americans – look no further than the tragic story of Carlene Balderrama. The 53-year old mother and wife from Taunton, Mass., fatally shot herself Tuesday just hours before her mortgage company was scheduled to auction her house off. Police said she faxed a letter to the company saying that by the time they foreclosed on her house that day, she would be dead. Ironically, her body was still inside the house when interested buyers showed up at the auction around 5 p.m., according to Taunton police chief Raymond O'Berg. “People’s homes are tremendously important to them emotionally,” said. Dr. Keith Ablow, a psychiatrist... [read full story]