- England’s doctors are now seeing patients with health problems that seem to be linked to the current cost-of-living crisis.
- One doctor suggested that people may ignore health issues because they think putting food on a table is more important than putting food on the plate.
- Unpaid bills “tipped” one doctor, according to which a patient intentionally injures his face.
Doctors in England claim that the impact of this year’s high cost of living has affected the health of some patients.
Global inflation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Ukraine war, which have pushed up food and energy prices. Many people are now suffering from global inflation. People are strugglingThey need to heat their homes and feed their families.
London-based general practitioner, Dr. Hina Shahid, said to Insider that while she has seen an increase in the number patients seeking medical attention over the last few years, it had become “a lot worse” in the past twelve months.
Shahid stated that people may come to her for help with mental illness or other problems, but when they dig deeper it becomes apparent that much of the problem is due to stress over cost of living and paying bills.
Heating is turned off by older people
Shahid, who runs an elderly clinic, said that older people are the most vulnerable. Even last year — when UK energy bills were generally cheaper than they are now — she saw lots of older patients who wouldn’t switch the heating on. According to her, one man got a severe chest infection after he was trapped in a damp, cold apartment.
Shahid stated, “If people don’t live in the right circumstances, then that’s the greatest health risk they can face.”
Shahid stated that patients can feel a mix of anger, frustration and depression when they come in. It makes me very afraid about the future when there are these increases in energy prices.
“The pressure of living”
Dr. Bob Gill is a Kent-based GP who said he had seen an increase in patients in financial difficulties due to their financial situation. Insider reports that patients often feel tired or moody and seek medical advice.
He stated, “They don’t want admit to themselves that the pressure of living is getting to them.”
Gill stated that people end up seeking antidepressants and sedatives to ease the pressure. After an unpaid bill, a self-employed patient brought in self-inflicted face wounds.
Gill claimed that in his experiences, men were less likely than women to book doctor’s appointment. He attributed this to the pressure not to admit a need.
“There’s this element of us all being told to be resilient.” he stated. “What this ends up doing is saying that it’s not society or external problems. It’s because you’re not resilient. This causes you to internalize some of the turmoil, and you are unable to reach out for help.
Under the carpet, health
Sometimes, people have diverted their attention from their health because of the stress caused by the cost-of living crisis.
Shahid stated that some households don’t think health is a problem because they have to think about how they will pay their rent or food. He said that preventable problems with health are “brushed under the rug because it’s not a priority.”
She said that these issues, which have been left to brew, will be “a state of crises or complication” later on.
Therapists are not cheap
Frances Trussell, a UK therapist, said that she hasn’t seen a rise in clients concerned about cost-of living. According to her, the reason could be that people with the most severe financial problems would not be able afford therapy services.
Trussell said that “anxiety about the cost of living would be having an effect on many across society, as it’s triggering a primal fear of not having enough.”
Shahid said GPs were often the “first port of call” for many patients who didn’t know where to turn, while Gill said paying £40 an hour for a therapist would be the “last thing on their mind.”
