Agoraphobia
Before you read the webpage please read the following notes:
NOTE 1 – We are giving you an overview of this condition in a question and answer format so you have some information for when you talk to a health professional. We have not discussed how to diagnose this condition, the types of treatment available for this condition and how you as the parent can help your child. We will leave that for a professional to discuss with you when a healthcare plan or special educational needs plan is being written for your child once they have been diagnosed.
NOTE 2 – Children can suffer from more than one condition at any one time. This is known as comorbid.
NOTE 3 – The exact cause of many of the conditions we have written about is unknown. Research is continuing. There can often be a genetic component which when inherited can make an individual prone to the condition. There are also other factors which can play a part in the development of the condition and can trigger it. We have detailed these factors in each write up.
NOTE 4 – Education for children with special education needs and disabilities is written elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to access it.
WHAT IS AGORAPHOBIA?
Agoraphobia is a disorder where an individual will start to feel afraid when they find themselves in certain places and situations so much so that it can bring on a panic attack. They want to escape from this place or situation because it is out of their comfort zone, they are uncomfortable and they feel no one will help them. Places and situations can include being in crowds, lifts, public transport, enclosed spaces and open spaces.
Children can also be agoraphobic if they are outside of their home by themselves.
More girls than boys are diagnosed with agoraphobia. It is considered an anxiety disorder that involves panic attacks and fear.
Children with agoraphobia are regarded as children with special educational needs.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR OVERVIEW – AGORAPHOBIA
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES A CHILD WITH AGORAPHOBIA DISPLAY?
The symptoms a child with agoraphobia may have are:
- They often do not leave home.
- They get panic attacks in certain situations and in certain places. They can also get disorientated, vomit, and have a feeling they are lost.
- They are afraid something bad will happen to them in certain places and situations.
- They are afraid they will not be able to escape or no one will help them if something bad happens to them in a certain place or situation.
- They avoid places and situations where they have had a previous panic attack.
Please note the symptoms of a panic attack are a racing heart, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and a feeling that the individual is going to have a heart attack.
Other individuals may not have panic attacks, they may instead vomit.
Symptoms of agoraphobia range from mild to severe.
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR SYMPTOMS – AGORAPHOBIA
ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE AGORAPHOBIA BORN WITH IT OR IS IT ACQUIRED?
Similar to many mental health disorders, the exact cause of agoraphobia is unknown. However, there may be a genetic element to it and it could be inherited but there are many factors which play a part in its development in the child. They are:
- A severe traumatic event
- Abuse
- Death of a close person
- Severe injury or illness
- Family breakdown
- Neglect and abandonment
- A history of mental illness
LINK TO NHS WEBSITE FOR CAUSES – AGORAPHOBIA
WHEN DO MOST CHILDREN FIRST DISPLAY THE SIGNS OF AGORAPHOBIA?
Most children with agoraphobia will start to show symptoms in their late teens. However younger children can get it but it is uncommon.
CAN AGORAPHOBIA GO AWAY, BE CURED OR PREVENTED?
Agoraphobia is treatable and the condition can be managed and controlled. Agoraphobia cannot be prevented.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF AGORAPHOBIA?
There are 5 main types of agoraphobia and they are:
1. Paranoid agoraphobia – This type of agoraphobia is based on the fact that the individual has incorrect fixed beliefs about certain places and situations.
2. Claustrophobia – This type of agoraphobia involves the extreme panic and anxiety an individual can feel when they are in a small confined space.
3. Disorganised agoraphobia – This type of agoraphobia involves the miscommunication of an individual’s senses and the brain. Signals between the senses and the brain can be distorted because the brain is not processing the signals correctly. An example of this is when an individual feels they are going to lose their physical balance when they are in a certain place or in a situation which causes them to be afraid.
4. Catatonic agoraphobia – When an individual experiences catatonic agoraphobia they are unable to move properly (standing up when seated) or speak normally when they are in a certain place or situation which causes them to be afraid.
5. Enochlophobia – This is a social agoraphobia where the individual is afraid of crowds.
WHO DO YOUR CONTACT FOR HELP IF YOU FEEL YOUR CHILD HAS AGORAPHOBIA?
Contact your GP immediately – Your GP will arrange for your child to be assessed for agoraphobia. Your GP will then arrange for your child to have the correct support, medication, therapy and treatment to manage and control the condition. They will also inform you of any lifestyle changes you may need to make and refer you for further help if you need it.
Contact the school SEN department – The SEN department (special educational needs) at school will take your concerns seriously and help you. Please read the next section below.
IS AGORAPHOBIA CONSIDERED A SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEED (SEN)?
A child suffering from agoraphobia can be considered as one with special educational needs (SEN) if the issues the child is suffering from make education and learning much more difficult than other children of the same age.
Talk to the SEN department at your child’s school. There will be a special teacher there called a SENCO (special SEN coordinator) who looks after the welfare of all SEN children at the school and they will be able to advise you further.
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If your child has agoraphobia you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that your child has agoraphobia.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns if your child has agoraphobia. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE 16 – CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has agoraphobia and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.