Severe Mental Illness Is Destroying Our Family, We Need Help

My husband has been battling severe agoraphobia for three years, and for the past year, he has been completely housebound. Panic attacks control his life, making even basic tasks unbearable. Even having someone visit the house sends him into a spiral.

He’s been taking medication, but he hasn’t found the right one to help him manage his condition. While medication may play a role in his recovery, therapy is critical for him to heal. We also believe he may have borderline personality disorder (BPD), which makes specialized therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) essential.

Currently, he’s living with his mum because he can’t be home alone, and I need to leave the house to take care of our kids and run errands. Unfortunately, the environment there is toxic, and it’s taking a toll on his mental health. While I try to keep things stable for our kids, I can’t bring him home until he’s able to manage being alone for short periods and continue working on his recovery.

Our home has become a place of constant tension and fear. I feel like a single mum, carrying the weight of everything inside and outside our home. I take the kids out on my own to give them a sense of normalcy, only to return to an environment that feels heavy and fragile. It’s exhausting.

I don’t want my kids growing up in an environment where their father is consumed by panic and fear, and I’m terrified this will become their normal. We need to create a healthier future for all of us.

My husband hasn’t always struggled with agoraphobia and severe mental illness. He was once a strong, vibrant person. But childhood traumas began resurfacing a few years ago, and his mental health started to decline. Despite everything, I believe the man he used to be is still in there. He’s not defined by his condition, and with the right help, I know he can heal and move forward.

He sees a counselor who donates her time through fundraising, but it’s not enough. He needs consistent weekly or twice-weekly therapy, specifically CBT or DBT, to help him address both agoraphobia and the underlying causes of his mental health struggles. Unfortunately, we can’t afford it.

We’re asking for $5,000 to cover therapy and medical expenses. This will give him a real chance at recovery, allowing him to address the trauma that led to this and get to a place where he can return home, away from the toxic environment he’s in now.

The cost of living is already difficult, and my husband’s disorder adds to the burden. He feels deeply embarrassed and frustrated by his condition. Despite his struggles, he doesn’t qualify for government disability payments because they believe he can recover with the right treatment but we simply can’t afford it on our own.

If you can donate, even a small amount, it will make an incredible difference for our family. If you’re unable to donate, sharing our story could help us reach someone who can. We are doing everything we can to get him the help he needs before it’s too late for our family.

Thank you for reading and for any support you can offer.