Money worries are a significant cause of worry, anxiety and stress according to GP and mental health expert, Dr Roger Henderson, who has published a paper identifying the condition Money Sickness Syndrome (MSS), in conjunction with financial services company AXA.

Almost half (43%) of the UK adult population is affected by money worries and have experienced money sickness syndrome symptoms. These include palpitations, shortness of breath and headaches, a ‘tight’ feeling in the stomach, nausea and diarrhoea, indigestion, a lack of appetite and poor sleep.
As well as these physical symptoms, psychological symptoms include irritability and mood swings, general nervousness, poor concentration and forgetfulness, poor judgement and decision-making and negative thoughts.

AXA’s national study found that money problems have adversely affected the personal relationships of almost one in four (23%) of adults in Britain. Of those, 19% say they have experienced a loss of libido because of money worries, with women being more than twice as likely to let financial problems affect their sex life as men.