How good are we at spotting our own symptoms of ill health?

Recognising our own symptoms of ill health seems easy for some of us but difficult for others. One person may recognise the very early signs of flu, while another may take much longer to notice their symptoms and only realise they are unwell when the illness becomes more severe.

Psychological research has shown that our perception of symptoms is influenced by cognitive biases, individual differences, and environmental factors, which raises important questions about how we can improve health outcomes for individuals.

A society-focused approach

At the Department of Psychology here at Essex, students on our undergraduate psychology courses can explore this question across multiple psychology modules. For example:

Year One

In a student’s first year, the module Thinking and the Mind introduces the mental processes underlying perception and attention, which are crucial for understanding how people notice changes in their own health.

Year Two

In Psychology of Health, second-year students learn how psychology can help overcome challenges faced by society to promote health and reduce illness. The module explores the role of different factors such as stress, stigma, and beliefs in shaping how we recognise and respond to symptoms of ill health.

Other key factors that may shape health outcomes are covered in Personality and Individual Differences. This optional module explores how individual differences, such as personality traits, influence how different people interpret different experiences. Students may discuss in class how those high in neuroticism may be more sensitive to subtle bodily changes and interpret them as significant health concerns, while those with low conscientiousness may downplay important signs of illness and potentially delay seeking medical attention.

Final Year

By their final year, students can deepen their understanding of health through optional modules that further shape their individualised learning journey:

• Body, Senses, and Existence provides an overview of the ways in which bodily awareness is constructed through the integration of sensory information. In this module, students may learn about interoception and why some people are highly attuned to their bodies while others are less aware of subtle health changes.
• In Psychopathology, students can examine how mental health conditions like depression or anxiety can distort a person’s awareness of their body’s current condition. For instance, individuals with anxiety disorders often misinterpret normal bodily sensations – like a racing heart – as signs of severe illness, contributing to health anxiety.
• Psychology of (Self)-Improvement examines how understanding from psychology can be used for personal development and wellbeing, providing students with evidence-based tools that can inform real-world health issues.

From academic learning to real-world employability

In our Department, we integrate psychological insights across different modules to provide students with a thorough understanding of a wide range of topics.

If you are interested in health, you can adapt your learning journey to develop a comprehensive view of how we perceive, interpret, and respond to symptoms of ill health. This knowledge is not only academically enriching but also highly valuable for employability. Through our lectures and assessments, you can apply academic theories to real-world challenges, and gain expertise and key competencies that are sought after in healthcare, policy making, and career roles focused on improving public health and wellbeing.

You can explore these modules further in the context of our undergraduate psychology courses.