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Overworked Women May Suffer From New Syndrome

Posted on: Thursday, 6 January 2005, 06:00 CST

TRYING too hard to balance home, family and work life has led to an epidemic of "Hurried Woman Syndrome" among British women.

More than three-quarters of 10,000 women questioned by the UK women's magazine Prima showed signs of the condition, which is caused by trying to do too much at once.

Hurried Woman Syndrome, which causes sufferers to become overweight, tired and have a low sex drive was first identified by a Texan doctor, Brent Bost.

The first UK study discovered that 74 per cent of women questioned are suffering from at least five symptoms of the condition, which lowers serotonin in the brain and can lead to clinical depression.

Ruth Tierney, the features editor of Prima, said: "The results were shocking, with three-quarters of British women admitting to suffering from the condition.

"Many of the women we interviewed instantly identified with the vicious circle of symptoms, which often begins with tiredness, leading to an increase in appetite, weight gain, and a loss of interest in sex and exercise.

"These changes kick-start a cycle of emotional symptoms including a lack of self-esteem, irritability, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, and a drop in motivation.

"As women's hectic schedules increase in pace, so too do their stress levels. This is a uniquely female condition, because women today have the pressure of looking after the day-to-day running of the household, while many also have the pressure of going out to work.

"It seems the answer to this very modern condition is to go back to basics, and to stop trying to be the perfect wife, mother and employee."

Dr Bost urges women to exercise, get enough sleep and to set realistic limits about what they can achieve.

Dr Bost said: "Do the things granny would have told you to do. Basically, slow down and smell the roses, set priorities and realise you have limits."

Source: Scotsman, The

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