When Faye Younger from Houghton-le-Spring was diagnosed with autism in 2022, her mental health began to go downhill, leading her to have a tough time at school.

Despite already being an “anxious” person, the now 18-year-old began having several panic attacks a day by 2024, became unable to walk on her own and stopped eating.

Faye Younger, 18. (Image: FAYE YOUNGER)

It was then confirmed that Faye was living with agoraphobia – a complex anxiety disorder that relates to the fear of not being able to escape, and impacts how a person deals with open spaces.

Thanks to medication and exposure therapy, Faye has managed to turn a corner but is now hoping to raise awareness of lesser known conditions after “suicide felt like [her] only option”.

Faye told The Northern Echo: “There is nothing brave about bottling your feelings up. It doesn’t make you brave, just that you are better at hiding it.

“If I was talking to my younger self, I’d say just let it out. It’s better to talk than to end up taking your own life.”

She added: “I was on a plane and was going on holiday with my family and started to have panic attacks.

“By the time we came back home and I didn’t feel better we started to seek out advice and found out that I had agoraphobia.

Faye Younger, 18. (Image: FAYE YOUNGER)

“It got really bad. I couldn’t walk anywhere on my own, I wasn’t eating, I lost around two stone. These are all the side effects that not many people speak about.”

According to the NHS site, the affects of agoraphobia include rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing (hyperventilating), feeling hot and sweaty and feeling sick.

It was due to symptoms like this that Faye dropped out of sixth form and her life changed completely, but she’s now studying floristry at East Durham College and is hopeful for the future.

She added: “I always just sucked my anxiety up, and put on a brave face. But it got too much, I couldn’t do it anymore.

Faye Younger with mum Marie. (Image: FAYE YOUNGER)

“With me, when I felt like suicide was my only option, it was because I felt so sick of feeling the way I felt.”

Faye, alongside mum Marie Younger, 54, is now set to take on a skydive in Shotton Colliery on June 29 to raise funds for suicide charity Papyrus.

So far, the duo have managed to get together £500 through donations, but are hoping the number can keep growing.

Faye added: “As one of my first panic attacks was on a plane, I wanted to do something to recognise that.

“It’s difficult, and it’s going to push me. I am a bit nervous but also excited because it’s for a good cause.”

Donate to the cause here – https://www.gofundme.com/f/ez5wjz-combat-suicide

If you are in need of support you can contact the following:

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.

If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258

SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice, please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org