Mobility component activity 1 descriptor E (10 points)
Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress (OPD) to the individual.
This descriptor is most likely to apply to individuals where undertaking any journey causes overwhelming psychological distress (OPD), despite the individual:
- using an aid or
- having presence or prompting from another person
Meaning of overwhelming psychological distress (OPD)
‘Overwhelming psychological distress’ (OPD) means distress related to a mental health condition or intellectual or cognitive condition resulting in a state in which the symptoms are so severe that the individual cannot undertake any journey without being overwhelmed.
The threshold is a very high one – an individual who, without prompting, would be left feeling anxious, worried or emotional does not meet it.
Overwhelming psychological distress (OPD) may occur in conditions such as:
- generalised anxiety disorder,
- panic disorder,
- dementia or
- agoraphobia
Meaning of ‘any journey’
‘Any journey’ means that the individual must be unable to undertake any single journey.
Who it applies to
If the individual can manage to leave their home to undertake a journey once then on that day it is unlikely that the descriptor will be satisfied, even if they are unable to undertake other journeys during the same day.
For descriptor E, an individual who is only able to start a journey at night-time is not considered able to undertake a journey to an acceptable standard.
They should be treated therefore as unable to undertake any journey and fall under this descriptor.
Example: an individual with autism who satisfies mobility component activity 1 descriptor E
Alex has autism and is affected by sensory overload of light and sound.
He lives with his parents, and they’ve completed his application form for ADP.
Supporting information
They have included a letter from a psychologist which highlights Alex’s difficulties in processing sensory information from light and sound.
Although the psychologist has been working with Alex on desensitisation techniques, these have not been effective.
Application form
In his application form, his parents write that inside the home they’re able to control the environment to ensure:
- there is no bright light and
- noise is kept to a minimum
If they need to go anywhere Alex has significant difficulties because of the heightened sensations he experiences.
His psychologist and GP both visit him at home because of the difficulties Alex experiences when travelling.
His parents give an example of going to visit a new therapist and when attempting to leave home Alex became distressed which caused him to scream and pull violently at his hair.
As Alex is unable to leave his home because of the symptoms of overwhelming distress that he experiences, he cannot make any journeys.
Case manager’s decision
The case manager determines that Alex satisfies mobility component activity 1 descriptor E because he is unable to make a journey at all even when he receives support.