A YOUNG bargain hunter from Dorset, known as the ‘Coupon Queen’, has revealed her battle against depression and anxiety.

Emma Mumford, 21, who lives near Dorchester, decided to speak out about her journey as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, which comes to an end tomorrow.

She was diagnosed in September 2013, four months after she began having panic attacks.
Emma said the cause of these attacks stemmed from worries over a debt she had to pay.

Describing her first attack, she said: “The first time (it happened) I was on the bus to the bank and that triggered it.
“I would often associate money with the bank. I started clutching my chest and I thought I was having a heart attack. I didn’t know what was going on.”
Instead of receiving treatment at the time, Emma said she ‘shut it off’, assuming it would pass. After more panic attacks however, she visited a doctor with the support of her family.

She said: “I’m used to asking for help. I felt confident enough to go and ask. I had the family support but a lot of people do find it hard because they don’t have anyone to speak to.”
Emma tried various forms of treatment, including counselling and antidepressants. She said it wasn’t until she tried hypnotherapy however that the attacks became less frequent.

During the hypnotherapy, Emma said she would practice visualisation techniques, imagining herself in real life situations she was scared of being in and how to approach them.
She said: “I found that was the most helpful because my mind is a bit stubborn. Having someone drill it in to me helped.”

Describing when she felt at her worst, Emma said she couldn't leave the house because of the fear of being sick.
She said: “For me, I was bedridden. I would lie in bed most days. Months would pass and I would say, ‘Why am I in bed?’
“A lot of people find it hard to understand. They just think you’re lazy.
“That’s why I started couponing. It was a great escape for me.
“I could focus all my time and energy on it. I could focus positively on doing something good and saving money.”

Emma’s blog reviews and daily deals and coupons have since helped her gather a following of more than 100,000 people on her Facebook page.
What started as a hobby has become a full time job and something she has become nationally known for.

She said: “I feel a lot better now. I put that down to hypnotherapy and mindfulness. I would say that has helped. I think dealing with things day by day has helped me a lot more.”
Emma encouraged those suffering similar symptoms to reach out for help.
She said: “If it doesn’t feel right to you, it is always best to get it checked out.”

 

A RECENT survey by YouGov, commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), reported significant numbers of people always or often feeling stressed (29 per cent), anxious (24 per cent) and depressed (17 per cent).

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, the MHF is calling for a national prevention strategy to reduce the risk of people experiencing mental health problems and for mindfulness to be made available in all areas.

Jenny Edwards, CEO of the MHF, said: “Of course adequate funding of mental health services is vital, but we also need a national prevention strategy for mental health to help prevent mental health problems from developing wherever possible.

“We need to tackle the causes that increase the risks of mental ill health and to equip people with practical tools that help prevent stress, anxiety and depression, and build resilience.”

If you’re having problems and want to talk to someone visit mentalhealth.org.uk The charity Mind runs an infoline providing information on a range of topics. Call 0300 1233393.