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To think we are becoming a country of hypochondriacs?

485 replies

YellowTulips25 · 29/01/2025 08:51

Firstly, let me preface this by saying that I entirely sympathise with people who have to live with serious long-term medical conditions. I don't wish to downplay illness or disabilities - visible or hidden - at all.

However, does anyone else feel like we're rapidly becoming a country of hypochondriacs, where an increasing number of people let seemingly minor health issues dominate their life?

For example, an article on the BBC this week features a woman who talks about having 'chronic pain, migraines and travel sickness' as reasons why it's impossible for her to work in an office. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9x0819417o

I think most of us suffer from aches and pains and headaches from time to time? What'd happen if we all started using this excuse?

And I know plenty of friends who always seem to have some ailment or other troubling them, whether it's being in pain, being tired, having a cough or cold, etc etc. It seems almost as if constantly being ill is part of their personality, a badge of honour?

I know I'll probably get flamed for this, but surely I can't be the only one to feel like rolling my eyes at some people's lack of resilience?

A woman with grey hair is stood centre frame. She has a solemn impression on her face and is wearing a grey turtle neck and light blue coat. She is stood in the woods.

Working from home criticism sparks anger: 'We are not lazy'

Hundreds of BBC readers disagreed with former Asda boss Lord Rose's view that working from home is "not proper work".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp9x0819417o

OP posts:
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GoldOrca · 29/01/2025 15:36

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

No, the poster said "people go off sick at the drop of a hat" - how does she know this? I'll bet you she doesn't, and is making unfair assumptions.

BeQuirkyBalonz · 29/01/2025 15:35

This reply has been deleted

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BobbyPeruLikeTheCountry · 29/01/2025 15:34

MigGril · 29/01/2025 15:32

I really hate it when people say this. Actually a lot of people with chronic migraine do work through a migraine.

How, we'll they are often on preventative medication that reduces the severity off them, also taking rescue medication helps and then you can sort off carry on. Also when you have that level of pain regularly you become more accustomed to it and learn to work through a certain pain level.

When I only had occasional migraine yes one would totally floor me, but with chronic migraine I sometimes can carry on as it's a normal state, I've become more used to. It's not pleasant and I don't believe I'm giving my best work at all but it is possible.

It's not just the pain though, is it? I will lose vision, sometimes black out, vomit, get numbness in limbs, etc. I've had various medications, and most of them do not help at best, and make matters worse at worst. I'm under a neurologist but so far no luck finding anything that works.

Could you work through all that? The OP made out like a migraine is just a headache, but it's not.

MigGril · 29/01/2025 15:32

BigSilly · 29/01/2025 10:19

If you think you could work through your migraine, you haven't got one!

I really hate it when people say this. Actually a lot of people with chronic migraine do work through a migraine.

How, we'll they are often on preventative medication that reduces the severity off them, also taking rescue medication helps and then you can sort off carry on. Also when you have that level of pain regularly you become more accustomed to it and learn to work through a certain pain level.

When I only had occasional migraine yes one would totally floor me, but with chronic migraine I sometimes can carry on as it's a normal state, I've become more used to. It's not pleasant and I don't believe I'm giving my best work at all but it is possible.

GoldOrca · 29/01/2025 15:32

Miley1967 · 29/01/2025 15:29

I think most people's resilience to deal with anything much is low. People just go off sick at the drop of a hat at my workplace, can't cope with any kind of family illness, go off with stress etc.

Again, HOW DO YOU KNOW?? You don't know how they feel, or what is going on in their lives. So you do not know if it's "at the drop of a hat"

GoldOrca · 29/01/2025 15:31

YouOKHun · 29/01/2025 15:15

"The one that frustrates me is 'I've got anxiety' as if it's a medical diagnosis and verging on a disability. A convenient excuse to opt out of things they don't fancy doing.
This is not a pop at people who are actually ill, diagnosed and being treated, I think statements like this actually devalue their experiences."

@MrsDefrost I know you're not having a pop at people who are actually ill and you're defining "actually ill" as having an official diagnosis and receiving treatment, but how do you know which people who say they "have anxiety" are flakey people and which are people who are concealing enduring debilitating mental health problems that can look very much like they're just being flakey and making excuses to avoid things, who don't receive a psychiatric diagnosis and who can't access treatment?

But my point is how do you know who is "faking it"?
It seems to me like the thinking is - one person might be faking so we think it's OK to tar everyone with the same brush??
Sorry, I think I may have quoted the wrong person here! I'm not going to give an excuse, in case it adds more fuel to the fire... but I'm not having a go at you, only who you quoted

MistressoftheDarkSide · 29/01/2025 15:29

Differentstarts · 29/01/2025 14:59

You said people with the same condition get different awards. Well obviously they do as conditions effect everyone differently

In addition assessors seem to have different criteria and perceptions depending on the day and are rarely medically qualified.

Plenty of reports available online where outright lies are reported too.

I have supported a friend at an appeals tribunal and facing three bureaucrats across what feels like a court room setting is daunting in any situation never mind if you are vulnerable and know your whole living situation is dependent on the outcome.

It makes me laugh (bitterly) when you compare the costs of appeals and tribunals and the amount of money offered to claimants being quibbled over.

@bumpitybumper

None of the systems put in place to support the vulnerable and marginalised economically have been instigated to "be kind". Cost / benefit analysis will have determined that it is politically and economically expedient. Historically some of the reasons include avoiding the possibility of bloody revolution after WW2 and to ensure a healthier army in the event of further conflict.

Telling me not to direct my ire at the state is pretty patronising when I have continually come across state sanctioned persecution via pure mismanagement and bureaucracy. Issues which could be resolved in one or two phone calls being passed like hot potatoes round multiple agencies and departments and taking weeks. When a decision is reached, any required action takes weeks and weeks again.

Systems need an overhaul and farming it all out to technology is not the answer either - complex situations aren't covered and need human oversight, especially where people have communication difficulties or due to age and isolation are unable to navigate apps and websites which are also prone to glitching and crashing.

I can't remember the exact number, but there are thousands of deaths where falling through the cracks of the system has been identified as a major factor.

People go on about "their money" and "their taxes" and forget money is simply a bartering tool that has been hijacked and leveraged for greed and power. You buy a house - you think you own it once the mortgage is paid off? Very few people own the freehold or land it's built on so it still isn't entirely "yours". And if you happen to need care in your dotage it gets sucked back into the system and redistributed again paying for it.

We're all playing an economic game - I suppose if money is more important than life now, we've crossed a rubicon. And so be it. But there's plenty who won't go down without a fight for themselves and on behalf of others.

As for poor indebted gubmints, well, if the state's officials and geopolitical influencers can't manage the economy I do blame them, because obviously they're directing their efforts in the wrong directions - usually into their own back pockets, vanity projects and keeping their chums in power and corrections sweet. So I do point a finger of blame at them, not some poor sod who is frightened their couple of hundred a month that pays for their food or heating is going to be swiped away while MPs enjoy subsidised bars, restaurants and second homes.

Miley1967 · 29/01/2025 15:29

I think most people's resilience to deal with anything much is low. People just go off sick at the drop of a hat at my workplace, can't cope with any kind of family illness, go off with stress etc.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 29/01/2025 15:28

PandoraSox · 29/01/2025 12:26

Another goady as fuck thread by a brand new poster who then buggers off.

MN sinks lower everyday.

What an unpleasant thread. Think I’m now going to read Daily Mail readers’ comments sections for more balanced viewpoints

BeQuirkyBalonz · 29/01/2025 15:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Differentstarts · 29/01/2025 15:21

User757373 · 29/01/2025 10:42

I strongly believe that a huge proportion of the chronically ill community are undiagnosed neurodivergent adults who have a hyperfixation on bodily symptoms. They most likely have sensory or MH issues which distort or magnify symptoms and possible autoimmune disorders that are comorbid with ND.

Virtually all the people who make a big deal over having conditions like long-covid, ME, POTS, fibromyalgia & co have extremely similar mannerisms and appearances. Just like the woman from the article. It's too much of a coincidence that all these conditions randomly strike a small subset of people who look and talk the same way. It's more likely they have personality traits that make them more susceptible to chronic health issues, hypochondria or psychosomatic symptoms.

This post @BeQuirkyBalonz

Bumpitybumper · 29/01/2025 15:17

Differentstarts · 29/01/2025 14:58

Everything i stated while applying for pip had to be backed by medical evidence

Definitive medical evidence can be very thin on the ground for some conditions. This is because there aren't any medical tests that can be run and thus the doctor is relying on patient testimony.

YouOKHun · 29/01/2025 15:15

"The one that frustrates me is 'I've got anxiety' as if it's a medical diagnosis and verging on a disability. A convenient excuse to opt out of things they don't fancy doing.
This is not a pop at people who are actually ill, diagnosed and being treated, I think statements like this actually devalue their experiences."

@MrsDefrost I know you're not having a pop at people who are actually ill and you're defining "actually ill" as having an official diagnosis and receiving treatment, but how do you know which people who say they "have anxiety" are flakey people and which are people who are concealing enduring debilitating mental health problems that can look very much like they're just being flakey and making excuses to avoid things, who don't receive a psychiatric diagnosis and who can't access treatment?

BeQuirkyBalonz · 29/01/2025 15:10

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Tessiebeare · 29/01/2025 15:06

I agree. Some people seem to base their whole identity around their ailments. I don’t think it helps that there’s all these awareness videos on social media all the time though. My sister is always having to tell us about her various ailments and as my brother said she’s just “chronically online”.
I’m also struck by the amount of my friends who are just constantly taking their kids to the doctors for completely minor things just to have it checked out or to confirm it is what they think it is.

BobbyPeruLikeTheCountry · 29/01/2025 15:06

Locutus2000 · 29/01/2025 15:05

If you're expected to find a job because on your good days you're basically fine to work, then there comes the problem of finding employers who will hire you knowing you may be very unwell and able to work several days a month. What do you do then?

They don't care and won't be happy until the disabled are only given bare subsistence levels. Look at the US right now.

Well quite. I don't think this thread was posted in good faith. I regret getting sucked in.

Locutus2000 · 29/01/2025 15:05

BobbyPeruLikeTheCountry · 29/01/2025 14:57

Okay, so if you're applying for PIP and you only mention how you're affected on your good days, then chances are you will be denied it, even though you might have way more bad days than good.

If you're expected to find a job because on your good days you're basically fine to work, then there comes the problem of finding employers who will hire you knowing you may be very unwell and able to work several days a month. What do you do then?

This is why I'm self-employed. I can work when I can, and work around it when I can't. A lot of people don't have that privilege. I'm lucky I've never had to claim benefits. I can't imagine the hell of it all, and then to be judged on top of that.

If you're expected to find a job because on your good days you're basically fine to work, then there comes the problem of finding employers who will hire you knowing you may be very unwell and able to work several days a month. What do you do then?

They don't care and won't be happy until the disabled are only given bare subsistence levels. Look at the US right now.

Mikiamo · 29/01/2025 15:04

Still waiting to hear how all women with Pots, Fibro and ME have the same appearance, talk the same and are the same type of people. It's been a while, so do explain...

Differentstarts · 29/01/2025 15:03

JoyousGreyOrca · 29/01/2025 15:01

Only partially. Lots of how a condition affects you is self reported

But you can't say i can't walk without having proof of why.

JoyousGreyOrca · 29/01/2025 15:01

Differentstarts · 29/01/2025 14:58

Everything i stated while applying for pip had to be backed by medical evidence

Only partially. Lots of how a condition affects you is self reported

PandoraSox · 29/01/2025 15:00

PIP is not easy to claim. 57% of those making new claims and who are not terminally ill are turned down, at least initially.

Differentstarts · 29/01/2025 14:59

Bumpitybumper · 29/01/2025 14:57

I know! I never suggested otherwise.

You said people with the same condition get different awards. Well obviously they do as conditions effect everyone differently

Differentstarts · 29/01/2025 14:58

JoyousGreyOrca · 29/01/2025 14:55

In fairness, there are people who get PIP who have far milder impacts on their life than people who have applied for PIP and been turned down. If you use the right words, you can get it when you do not actually need any extra help.

Everything i stated while applying for pip had to be backed by medical evidence

Bumpitybumper · 29/01/2025 14:57

Differentstarts · 29/01/2025 14:54

Pip has nothing to do with your condition it's how it impacts your life

I know! I never suggested otherwise.

BobbyPeruLikeTheCountry · 29/01/2025 14:57

Bumpitybumper · 29/01/2025 14:51

Yes I do. I also know that there are ways to complete the claims that can lead to vastly different awards for the same condition and that many people are actively encouraged to emphasise their symptoms on the worst days to optimise their awards.

Okay, so if you're applying for PIP and you only mention how you're affected on your good days, then chances are you will be denied it, even though you might have way more bad days than good.

If you're expected to find a job because on your good days you're basically fine to work, then there comes the problem of finding employers who will hire you knowing you may be very unwell and able to work several days a month. What do you do then?

This is why I'm self-employed. I can work when I can, and work around it when I can't. A lot of people don't have that privilege. I'm lucky I've never had to claim benefits. I can't imagine the hell of it all, and then to be judged on top of that.

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