A survey conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong shows that about 400,000 Hong Kong residents are suffering from hypochondria or depression, four times more than 20 years ago.

The university's Faculty of Medicine conducted the survey from March to April, consulting 5,000 adults for their emotional index, including whether they have ever suffered from depression in two successive weeks, lack of work impetus or considering of suicide.

About 8.3 percent respondents admitted they had such symptoms in the past year. Based on this result, it is estimated that about 400,000 adults in Hong Kong are suffering from hypochondria. Among them, women and the unemployed occupy a large proportion.

Compared with a similar survey conducted 20 years ago, the number of hypochondria sufferers has increased by four times.

According to the survey, hypochondria sufferers are more likely to ask for leave, be late for work or early to leave, and have a low efficiency in work. It is estimated that Hong Kong economy suffered a loss of 10.4 billion HK dollars (US$1.3 billion) owing to this disease last year.

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2005)