22 Kids and Counting: Josh Radford's Emotional Health Battle Revealed
Viewers of the popular Channel 5 series 22 Kids and Counting were left in tears during a special episode that documented the heartbreaking health struggle of 18-year-old Josh Radford. The episode, titled Josh's Story, aired on Sunday, February 8, and focused entirely on Josh's journey as he received a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and agoraphobia.
A Birthday Celebration Turns Sour
The special episode opened with Josh celebrating his 18th birthday surrounded by his large family. However, it quickly became apparent to his parents, Sue, 50, and Noel, 55, that something was amiss. Josh batted away suggestions of learning to drive and seemed unable to enjoy the festivities.
Mum Sue expressed her concern to the cameras, stating: 'Josh has always been the life and soul of the party. He’s always a bubbly joker, so him not wanting to socialise, that for me, that’s not Josh.'
Worrying Symptoms and a Parent's Fear
As the episode progressed, Josh's condition worsened. He began refusing to get out of bed and complained of issues with his eyesight, telling his family he felt like he was 'going blind'. This was accompanied by severe headaches that heightened his distress.
Sue took Josh for an eye test, explaining: 'He said his eyesight had gone funny and he felt like something seriously wasn’t right. When Josh said he felt like he was going blind, that obviously as a parent really does worry you. He was really, really scared.'
While no serious eye problems were found, Josh later suffered a panic attack in the early hours of the morning, prompting an urgent visit to the GP.
The Diagnosis: Anxiety and Agoraphobia
At the doctor's surgery, Josh was diagnosed with anxiety and agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of situations where escape might be difficult, such as open spaces, public transport, or crowded places. It often leads to panic attacks, which can cause symptoms like rapid heart rate, nausea, and sweating.
For Josh, this meant he spent weeks unable to leave the house, with his anxiety causing him to become increasingly quiet and withdrawn. Sue shared her heartbreak: 'Family things, birthday parties, births, he’s just not been able to do anything. It’s so frustrating and as a mother it really does break your heart.'
Dad Noel also voiced his guilt, asking: 'I do feel like I've let him down. As a dad, as a parent, should I have picked up on this earlier?'
Seeking Help and Viewer Reaction
The episode showed Josh reaching out for professional mental health support, with therapists helping him take steps to venture outside again. Josh explained his motivation for sharing his story, which was filmed over seven months: 'I do hope that me doing this does give people courage to also open up and ask someone for help.'
Fans of the show took to social media to express their support and empathy. One viewer wrote: 'I'm really sad about this I hope Josh gets the support he needs. I've been crying since the beginning.' Another added: 'I just want to give Josh a hug, really feel for him,' while a third commented: 'Hope Josh is OK. One step at a time love.'
Family Updates: Sophie's Split Revealed
In related news, Sue Radford confirmed in an interview with The Mirror that her eldest daughter, Sophie, has split from her husband, Joe Bradley, after ten years of marriage. Sue stated: 'Sadly, a lot of marriages do break down, and you can’t fix them. They aren’t together anymore, but they are making it work with their three children.'
This revelation will be featured in an upcoming episode of 22 Kids and Counting, with Sue noting that Sophie wanted to share her feelings publicly. Sue and Noel have 22 children, including Chris, 36, Sophie, 32, Chloe, 30, and Josh, 18, among others. The family continues to navigate both personal challenges and public scrutiny.
22 Kids and Counting airs Sundays at 8pm on Channel 5 and is available for streaming.
