Annie, these feelings are natural, you've admitted you have problems, and are now going to do something postive about them.
If you do an IVA, you will be debt free in a few years, and in your 40's there's plenty of time left afterwards to rebuild your life. I'm 54 and hubby is 61, so we're even older.
It's not easy, you won't have a lot of spare money, but at least you know that you will be able to pay those bills, there'll be no nasty surprises coming through the door or on the end of the phone, and you will be able to take charge again.
Melanie is highly recommended, and I don't think you could be in safer hands.
Sharing from experiences of dealing with debt
The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley.
http://kallis3.blogs.iva.co.uk