British Psychological Society: Being a statue a worry for some

IF ASKED to imagine themselves as the Statue of Liberty, some people thought they would have such problems as being cold or being metal. But, a new study has found, people identified as chronic worriers felt that they "would not be up to being a symbol of the United States".

Indeed, the worriers voiced fears of not only being unable to handle the responsibility, but of "having no friends" if they failed, according to Professor Graham Davey, a chartered psychologist at the University of Sussex, who undertook research into the psychology of worrying. Those more prone to worrying could also think up more reasons why they should worry, and became progressively more anxious.

"They also tended to couch their worries in terms of personal inadequacies," Professor Davey said. "This tendency is an important contributor to the problem."