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Agoraphobia

Hi. My wife suffers greatly from stress. Since our sons were born she has never gone back to work. I've asked her to as the industry I'm in is up and down all the time. The only money coming into the house is what I earn and family allowance. I feel the pressure a lot. When she goes to the doctor's it's it's just stress. She sits in the house all day and all week until I'm off work. She cannot even take the dogs for a walk. She gets really scared and goes into panic mode. I asked her to pick a prescription up once. She viewed never too do it again. She was dropping with sweat by the time she returned. Things are a little better on a weekend when I'm off but still it's out and back. Trying to spend time out the house is hard work. I be researched and found Agoraphobia. Is this something she could go to the doctor with?. Would it be possible to be put on the sick?. Would she be entitled to claim anything. Her mother gets on at her quite a bit. My wife says nobody understands how she feels. She just gets tablets for stress of the doctor. Any help and advice would be great. I
Macas
Macas
Replies
Obviously we're not medical experts here, but someone I cared for over the course of many years was diagnosed with Agoraphobia and some of what you said does sound familiar. It sounds like your wife needs to go to the doctor, but it's very important for her to be honest. Would it be possible for you to go with her to the appointment, she might then feel more like she can talk openly and that'll hopefully help her get some support.
Many people with Agoraphobia do successfully claim PIP and ESA/UC, but it would very much depend on how your wife is affected by her condition as these benefits aren't awarded based on diagnosis, but for PIP it will be awarded on how her daily life is affected by the condition and ESA will be awarded based on how her condition limits her capacity for work.
Scope
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Is she claiming benefits or not? It might also help her if she saw a therapist, this is one of the many MH issues they are trained to help with. Or she could start on a self help course. Exercise might also help her. Has she applied for benefits yet? People with agoraphobia do qualify for ESA and PIP as well.
Exposure therapy is particularly helpful. The concept is based on small goals set by a therapist. For example small talk with a stranger or a quick walk to the station etc. As she develops confidence, you can review and modify goals for instance a night out or a whole weekend away somewhere with you.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/agoraphobia/treatment/
For more information on exposure therapy, look at this link.
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/overcoming-agoraphobia-lovell-1999.pdf
Ask about exposure therapy.
It does sound like she needs to re-visit the doctor though, do you think she'd go again if you went with her?
Scope
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Perhaps she could apply for PIP? There is a assessment process involved but Citizen’s Advice Bureau can assist with the form filling. Here is their number https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/
My wife also suffered from Agoraphobia when she was younger, what helped was understanding the cause of th anxiety attacks and helping her overcome the causes of her stresses. This was years ago now.
Have a look at the Wikipedia Agoraphobia article at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agoraphobia
I hope your wife is able to access more support, I appreciate it's difficult if your wife believes she wouldn't be successful in this.
If there is anything we can do to support you then please let us know.
Scope
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Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
This is from the NHS website and might be useful to plan for the GP visit:
Diagnosing agoraphobia
Speak to your GP if you think you may be affected by agoraphobia. It should be possible to arrange a telephone consultation if you don't feel ready to visit your GP in person.
Your GP will ask you to describe your symptoms, how often they occur, and in what situations. It's very important you tell them how you've been feeling and how your symptoms are affecting you.
Your GP may ask you the following questions:
It can sometimes be difficult to talk about your feelings, emotions, and personal life, but try not to feel anxious or embarrassed. Your GP needs to know as much as possible about your symptoms to make the correct diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Physical examination
Your GP may want to do a physical examination, and in some cases they may decide to carry out blood tests to look for signs of any physical conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
For example, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can sometimes cause symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of a panic attack.
By ruling out any underlying medical conditions, your GP will be able to make the correct diagnosis.
Confirming the diagnosis
A diagnosis of agoraphobia can usually be made if:
If there's any doubt about the diagnosis, you may be referred to a psychiatrist for a more detailed assessment.
Senior online community officer
I hope this is the start of things improving for you and your wife. Please keep in touch and let us know if there's anything we can do to help.
Scope
If you have a few minutes to spare, we'd appreciate your feedback on our online community.
This really depends on whether you're claiming anything, or whether she wants to claim anything. If neither of you are claiming anything at all currently, then your only option would be to apply for Universal Credit (as this replaces ESA) and she would provide the fit note to them. If she's looking to apply for PIP, you don't need the fit note. You can find information on how to claim PIP here, but you would generally call them up on 0800 917 2222
Before you call, you’ll need:
- your contact details, for example telephone number
- your date of birth
- your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits
- your bank or building society account number and sort code
- your doctor or health worker’s name, address and telephone number
- dates and addresses for any time you’ve spent abroad, in a care home or hospital
Hope that helps, but let me know if you have any other questions!Scope
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Thanks
Please do keep us updated.
Scope
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With regards to PIP, you usually request a form when you call. It may be worth you giving them another call if you haven't done so already.
Best of luck.
Scope
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