I read today, that Michael Jackson's trainer (and former Incredible Hulk star) Lou Ferrigno says Michael was in great shape just a few days before his death, and that it was the stress of his debts (which Lou put at $400 million) that killed him.

This row over what killed MJ seems set to run and run. But it goes to show that debt can have a massive effect on your life.

So if you're worried about your debts, what are the signs it could be causing you serious harm?

1. You find yourself thinking about it almost all the time. This is not only bad for your health, it also means relationships will suffer and you'll be less productive at work. You need to be focused, and nagging worries about debt aren't going to help.

2. You have stopped being honest with those who mean the most to you. This is understandable if you're trying to protect them from the worst, but will only make you feel more isolated and under pressure, and it will mean there's no-one there to help you get out of the problem.

3. You have stopped being honest with yourself. You may tell yourself that by not opening statements you are putting it out of your mind. But in the small hours in the dark you're going to end up dwelling on it, and the panic will set in.

4. You have given up trying to control it. This means the problem is getting worse... and you know it. This is a sure-fire recipe for physical, mental and financial overload.

So if you're suffering from one or all of these symptoms what can you do?

There's a three step process. It's not nice. In fact it's awful. But if you follow all three steps you will stand a much better chance of saving your finances and your sanity.

1. Work out how bad the problem is. Open all your bills, get a calculator out, and discover just how much you owe, and to whom.

2. Confide in someone you trust who can support you. You need to take the pressure off. If you're worried about the effect coming clean will have, make it clear you are working on solving the problem, and it's not going to be as bad as it seems. It may seem foolish to open this can of worms, but it'll get so much worse if you don't confess.

3. Get some help. Start with the government service, National Debtline. They will talk you through your options and make sure you find the one that is right for you. They may put you on to a reputable professional who can help you, or they may tell you how to get out of the financial hole yourself. Either way they will get you started, and save you from falling foul of scams targetting people in debt.

This third step doesn't end here. You may be put on a tight budget, or you may end up with a legal insolvency deal, which will make life fairly frugal for a few years to come.

However, at the end of the process you will be free from debt, free from worries, and less likely to make yourself ill.

Whatever killed MJ, debt doesn't have to be your undoing.