Identity theft among Scots' fears

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6547151.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Almost 60% of people in Scotland admit to having a sleepless night because of concerns over issues they have no control over, a survey has shown.

Half of those who took part said identity theft, terrorism and climate change were their main worries while 42% were concerned about redundancy.

Those over 54 were mainly concerned with NHS cutbacks and superbugs.

Edinburgh was chosen to take part in a UK survey of 1,000 people by life assurance company CPP.

Across the UK, more people reported being stressed over rising house prices - 43%, compared to just 29% in Edinburgh.

Societal anxieties have risen sharply in the last five years and the trend looks set to continue Dr David LewisCognitive neuropsychologist

For those aged 18-35 the main problem identified was getting on the property ladder.

The poll found that 42% of men said they rarely lose sleep worrying about potential life threats compared to just 22% of women.

Dr David Lewis, a cognitive neuropsychologist, said: "The results of this survey confirm that high levels of anxiety are prevalent in modern society due to a number of reasons, including terrorist attacks and a growing recognition of the damaging consequences of modern lifestyles on the environment and mankind.

"In both cases we feel these events to be beyond our ability to control and this sense of helplessness in the face of danger is the third factor that serves to intensify our other concerns.

"Societal anxieties have risen sharply in the last five years and the trend looks set to continue."