Money Sickness Syndrome

Do you feel anxious about money? Are you nervous about checking your bank balance or scared of opening statement of household bills? If so, you are not alone. Over 45% of the population experience money worries and one in five people avoid checking their bank balance for fear of what they might find.

The term 'Money Sickness Syndrome' was coined by a GP, Dr Roger Henderson. He used it to describe 'the symptoms of stress arising from the anxiety generated by feelings of poor understanding or control of personal finances'. These worries lead to all the symptoms of stress, to ill health, short tempers, poor sleeping patterns and less quality time with the people we love. Ask yourself the following:

• Do I experience anxiety opening bank statements or bills? (21% of people do)
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• Do I permanently live on my overdraft?
• Do I lie awake at night worrying about money? (35% of British couples do).
• Am I one of the 3.4 million credit cardholders who only ever make minimum payments on my credit cards?
• Do I know how much I owe or do I prefer not to think about it?
• Do I have less than three months income held as accessible savings?

If this is you then know three things: you are not alone, this is not the unforgivable sin and that free and confidential help is at hand.