Financial problems often go hand-in-hand with people suffering from mental health issues, but the how of it all isn’t as simple as not being able to afford treatment (though that is one factor). However, not many people know that the state of your mental health also has an impact on your financial situation; it’s not a one-way street. The poorer your state of mind is, the higher your risk is for experiencing financial problems. Here’s how not taking care of your mental health can affect your financial situation.

1. Life feels out of control.

When you lose control of your thoughts and mood, you’ll likely start to feel as if your life is out of control as well. This crosses over into your financial life because your thoughts and mood directly affect how you view your future. Why would you save for retirement or to buy a house when you can focus on the here and now? When a bright future looks like a distant daydream, it’s much easier to choose for what you can control, such as purchases you can make now rather than later.

2. You’ll likely avoid your problems.

A poor mental state will bring down your ability to focus and work on important things like bills and paying off your credit card, which will only lead you to further financial issues in the future. Add the anxiety-inducing task of creating a budget and you’ll more than likely choose to avoid your financial issues rather than face them head-on. It’s much easier to bury your head in the sand than admit you’re in a pickle when you’re not in the right state of mind to do so.

3. Temporary relief is appealing.

With issues such as those mentioned above, it’s common for people to become desperate for some sort of relief, no matter how that “solution” may impact them in the long run. Retail therapy is the prime example of this; buying something that makes you happy in the now will give you that sense of relief and pleasure that focusing on your long-term situation won’t. Giving into retail therapy too often will only do more harm than good, but to a distressed mind, that doesn’t matter.

How to Overcome This

You don’t need to let yourself fall into a pit of despair because of your financial situation or mental health issues. Improving your mental health will improve your finances, so make sure to sleep well, exercise, and eat nutritiously. Socialize with others and reach out for help even when you’d rather do neither of those things and don’t be afraid to get professional help if you think you’ll benefit from it. Professionals are there to help you get back on your feet, so it’s wise to speak with a doctor or get a therapist to get yourself back on track toward a bright future.