Doctors report increase in stress related illness

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Doctors report increase in stress related illness due to money worries

http://www.news.royalmailgroup.com/news ... ce_network" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


• 78 per cent of GPs have seen more symptoms of stress in patients
• Job security and financial worries are the most common cause of stress/depression
• A third of GPs prescribing anti-depressants to under 30s with financial worries

Worries over finances and job security have led to a significant rise in the numbers of patients suffering from stress related illnesses, according to new research amongst UK family doctors by the Post Office and the Family Doctors’ Association.*

Over three quarters (78 per cent) of GPs have seen an increase in the number of patients showing symptoms of stress or depression over the last 18 months. Men have fared worst, with an 82 per cent rise in the number reporting stress linked to money worries, compared to 74 per cent of women.

Job security is the primary cause of stress with a third (31 per cent) of patients confiding in doctors that fear for their jobs is causing stress-related illnesses, and a further third (29 per cent) claiming that general financial concerns are impacting their health. 15 per cent also admitted that the financial needs of other family members is a contributing factor to their wellbeing.

The under 30s, in particular, appear to be feeling the pressure with half (49 per cent) suffering from sleep disorders. A further 16 per cent of this age group are seeking help for diet problems from their doctor and 12 per cent are experiencing impotence.

These illnesses can be attributed to the financial problems many young people currently face - one in four admit to worrying about debt (24 per cent), 25 per cent cite job security as a concern and 19 per cent worry about being able to pay bills.
When it comes to treatment, of those GPs surveyed, a third (30 per cent) said they were prescribing anti-depressants to under 30s for stress and 39 per cent had referred them to counsellors.

The findings support those from the Post Office’s Finance: A Family Affair report, published in conjunction with independent research consultancy Freshminds last month, which found that the younger generation is becoming increasingly financially pressured.** The under 30s age group is already worrying, not only about their own financial situation, but about how they will support older generations in the future. Over half of under 30s (55 per cent) worry about how they will support their parents in retirement.

Dr Peter Swinyard from the Family Doctors’ Association said: "Money worries have always been a major cause of depression and stress-related illness but there is no doubt that the events of the past 18 months have exacerbated the effect. Remembering that a problem shared is often a problem halved, we would encourage any patient who is feeling the strain of financial worries to seek the appropriate advice or support, from their family and loved ones and from financial institutions which might be able to work with them to resolve them."

Doug Strachan, Financial Services Director at the Post Office, said: "This latest survey amongst UK GPs only serves to highlight further the findings from our Finance: A Family Affair report that many families - the youngest generations in particular - are under great financial pressures due to the recession.

"While it is imperative for people to be open with their families and loved ones about money problems and address them head-on, it is also crucial to get to the root of the problem by being careful when making financial decisions. Headline figures can often look appealing at first glance, but it is important to read the small-print before tying yourself into a deal - whether it’s a credit card or a mortgage.

"Do as much research as you can and don’t be afraid to seek advice before you make big financial decisions from people who can help, such as Citizens’ Advice or consumer organisations. Getting the right guidance can provide peace of mind, and help you to avoid money worries, especially those which manifest themselves physically and emotionally, altogether in the long-run."

Ends


For more information, please contact:
Jo Field or Fiona Chow,
3 Monkeys Communications
020 7009 3100
Hayley Fowell.
Royal Mail Group Press Office
020 7250 2468

Notes to Editors

About the research:
* Survey conducted among UK GPs by the Post Office and the Family Doctors’ Association in February 2010. Sample size: 110.

** Research taken from the Post Office’s Finance: A Family Affair report, conducted by independent research consultancy, FreshMinds, between September and November 2009.

A representative sample of 3116 people across the UK completed an outline questionnaire for this study. This total comprised:
- 1018 people from the ‘youngest generation’ - people with at least one living parent and grandparent
- 1151 people from the ‘middle generation’ - people with at least one child over the age of 16 and one living parent
- 947 people from the ‘oldest generation’ - people with grown-up children, and at least one grandchild over the age of 16

The Finance: A Family Affair report examines generational attitudes and behaviours towards money, amongst thousands of families across the UK and is available to download at http://www.postoffice.co.uk/familyfinance" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

About Post Office Financial Services
With 12,000 branches, the Post Office has the largest retail network in the UK. It first launched into the financial services market fifteen years ago, offering foreign currency through its supplier, First Rate Exchange Services - a partnership between the Post Office and Bank of
Ireland. The Post Office is now the UK’s largest provider of travel money.

In 2004, the Post Office and the Bank of Ireland formed a joint venture to offer Post Office customers a wider range of financial services which include savings, car and home insurance policies, mortgages and a credit card.

About FreshMinds
FreshMinds is one of the UK’s leading research consultancies. A unique combination of market research and business analysis skills helped the firm become the MRS UK Market Research Agency of the Year twice in a row.



http://www.postoffice.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TrueBlueTerrier]

What about stress in your own organisation .