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My girlfriend just sent me a text suggesting that we get an air purifier.

She found one online for £30. She then sent me a second text saying that she's found one for £39. That extra £9 was enough to set me off and my chest started to tighten, even though I hadn't bought anything yet.

In the heat of the moment the worry is unbearable and it isn't until much later that I'm able to calm down and rationally assess the situation.

I know I'm not alone and I know that there are people in a far worse position than me.

Money anxiety disorder is a form of anxiety that revolves around the fear of financial strain.

Those who suffer from it may not be in a bad position financially, they may not have accumulated thousands of pounds of debt, but they mentally spend their pay check as soon as they receive it, leaving themselves worrying that they have nothing left.

I'm one of them, despite the fact that I have a comfortable lifestyle.

Everyone worries about money, especially around Christmas where the must-have toys are flying off the shelves, but for some people that worry never goes away and it can be all consuming.

Even on payday the thought of splashing an extra £20 is enough to send me into sheer irrational panic, for what would seem no reason at all to most people.

This is because I have already constructed a mental budget of what bills come out when and how much I can reasonably spend every week, and if there's one small thing out of place it can be enough to tip me over the edge and into meltdown.

That sort of extra expense does not amount to much, over the course of the month it can easily be budgeted out and sorted, but it sends my pulse racing.

It feels like someone is standing on my chest and slowly pinching my throat, and as the worry sets in my mind becomes a hive of buzzing bees and I am unable to string together a coherent thought.

This process manifests on the outside too. I become awkward, stiff and difficult to be around. I know that it's irrational, I know that for me at least the position is not permanent, but it does not stop the physical and psychological side effects of the anxiety from setting in.

I start to re-budget almost instantly, thinking about where I can cut corners and save money here and there, but somehow I always manage to whittle my funds down to practically nothing with a bucket-load of nonsensical 'what if' scenarios.

I try to fight it. I try counting to 10 and taking deep breaths, I try larking around to try to divert my attention away from the internal mayhem, I try to hide my feelings, but somehow they always show through, potentially ruining the day.

(Image: Getty)

The Money and Mental Health Institute found that half of adults in problem debt also have a mental health problem, and that people with problem debt are twice as likely to develop major depression as those not in financial difficulty.

Its report shows that one in four adults with a mental health problem also has problem debt, and 24% of people with depression or anxiety and 33% of people experiencing psychosis have accumulated problem debt.

Sara Moseley, director of Mind Cymru, said: “We know that money and mental health are often linked. Poor mental health can make managing money harder and worrying about money can make your mental health worse.

“Money worries can have a big impact on your general wellbeing, which can sometimes make it even harder to take positive steps."