Please help, my life is being crippled by constant worry. I have been like this for as long as I can remember, but since I got married and had children it seems to be so much worse. After the kids started school, I couldn't get through a day without convincing myself my husband had died in a car crash or one of my children had been abducted. Now, if my husband is a few minutes late in getting home, I can't help but fret. If I don't know where my children are every second of every day, I am a gibbering wreck too.

My husband says I need to stop worrying because it never solves anything. He also thinks it will start to affect my health. Other people seem unaffected by the worries of modern life; what is wrong with me?

Worry and anxiety are a normal part of everyday life and everyone is affected by them. I get the sense from your email that you do not work and that your children are at school so, as a first step, try to get active and be busy. This could be a hobby, a sport, voluntary work or a part-time job. Secondly, look for ways to actively relax. This could be through things like yoga and tai chi or it might mean learning some mediation and breathing techniques. Lastly, please speak with your GP. It might be your doctor suggests medication of some kind, or it may be that they decide to refer you to a counsellor. You could also visit MIND (mind.org.uk).

I've been living with my boyfriend for the past three years. At first, everything was fun and exciting, but for the last few months it's felt flat.

I suppose this explains why I've started seeing another guy who is on the same course as me at college. He's great fun to be around and, although I know he's seeing someone else as well, I feel he's what I need right now.

My problem is, I hate having to lie to my boyfriend and sneak around just to get some time with this other guy. I really don't want to hurt him, but I'm not sure how much longer I can keep this secret.

Is it over between us?

If this relationship isn't already over, most would agree it is in serious trouble. More importantly, you're already hurting him by seeing someone else and when he finds out - as he may well do - he'll be hurt even more. You say you hate lying to him, so I think it may be time for you to tell him honestly what you are feeling. This will very likely end things between you, but would this be any worse than how you're already feeling?