by Calculated Risk on 5/15/2008 02:33:00 PM

This is a very sad story from the USA Today: Foreclosures take an emotional toll on homeowners (hat tip Cathy and others)

The escalating pace of foreclosures and rising fears among some homeowners about keeping up with their mortgages are creating a range of emotional problems, mental-health specialists say. Those include anxiety disorders, depression and addictive behaviors such as alcoholism and gambling. And, in a few cases, suicide.

Crisis hotlines are reporting a surge in calls from frantic homeowners. The American Psychological Association (APA) and other mental-health groups are publishing tips on how to handle the emotional stress triggered by the real estate meltdown. Psychologists say they're seeing more drinking, domestic violence and marital problems linked to mortgage concerns ...

Cathy comments:

"I wonder if the mortgage brokers, securitizers, rating agencies, realtors, banks, investment banks, rating agencies and everyone else who raked in millions during the bubble ever feel even a shred of remorse or shame ..."

For some reason this reminds me of this creepy advertisement (Note the title is "Debate").