I don’t know how to stop giving money to every charity that needs it

DEAR DEIDRE: IF I don’t give money to every charity that needs it, I feel terrible. 

The pressure to do good is making me so anxious that I can’t function.

I’m a  facilities manager, 38, on an average salary. I already give too much to charity, and it’s making it difficult for me to manage financially.

But every time I see images of starving people in war zones or children needing surgery for cleft palates, or hear about disasters, I feel that  I need to help.

Chuggers love me because I never ignore them. I set up a direct debit because I can’t say no.

If I don’t, I feel I’m personally failing people.

I know this isn’t normal behaviour, but I don’t know how to stop myself.

DEIDRE SAYS: Your generosity and desire to help are admirable.  But it’s become a compulsion – a type of OCD – and that’s not healthy.

No one person can solve all of the world’s problems. Being generous doesn’t mean ruining yourself financially. 

Talk to a trusted friend and agree on an amount that will really improve someone’s life and stick to that donation. 

My support pack on Anxiety should help, and contact anxietyuk.org.uk (03444 775 774) for advice.