Snapshot of unemployed

Many of them are borrowing money from friends or relatives, cutting back on doctor's visits, and suffering from depression or anxiety. That's according to a NYT/CBS poll out tonight. Roughly half of the respondents say that the recession has caused major life changes (only half?). Not surprisingly, the longer they're out of work the tougher it is.

Nearly half of the adults surveyed admitted to feeling embarrassed or ashamed most of the time or sometimes as a result of being out of work. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the traditional image of men as breadwinners, men were significantly more likely than women to report feeling ashamed most of the time. There was a pervasive sense from the poll that the American dream has been upended for many. Nearly half of those polled said they felt in danger of falling out of their social class, with those out of work six months or longer feeling especially vulnerable. Working-class respondents felt at risk in greater numbers than those belonging to other social classes.