Scots are being urged to take more effective measures to combat stress as a major survey published today reveals the condition is endemic in the UK.
Half the population feel more stressed now compared to five years ago, according to research conducted into the habits of 2000 people aged 16 and over.
The top cause of stress is money, followed by work, family worries, health and relationships, according to the report, entitled Stressed Out and commissioned by The Samaritans charity.
Publication of the findings coincide with Stress Down Day, an awareness and fundraising event organised by the organisation, aimed at highlighting the effects of stress in the workplace in particular.
A total of 65% of Scots say stress is making them irritable and 57% said it is disturbing their sleep. A total of 49% say they were more stressed now than they were five years ago.
As a result, 22% say they are having more arguments with their partners because of stress and 15% say their sex life was suffering through stress. A total of 20% say stress meant they were less efficient at work, while 6% say it makes them take sick-leave from work. About 23% of those surveyed say it affected their appetite.
More than one in 10 (12%) say they are stressed out every single day. A total of 6% say that when they are stressed they feel suicidal while 59% say it makes them feel depressed for a while.
Stress also appears to be gender-related, according to the study, with 55% of women reporting being stressed more than once a month, compared with 40% of men.
Joe Ferns, director of Samaritans service support, called the results "worrying".
He said: "There can be little doubt that for many people life is more hectic and complicated than it would have been 54 years ago when Samaritans was first set up, but we still need to find a way of looking after our emotional health better."
Professor Cary Cooper of Lancaster University, and an expert in the field of workplace stress, said: "People need to talk about the stress and anxieties they have, not hide them away. Facing your problems with support is the best first step."
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