A THURROCK teenager spent years battling a disorder which meant she could only talk to members of her own family.

Isabella Turner bravely battled selective mutism between the ages of two and 16.

The condition - recognised by the NHS - sees people struggling to speak in certain scenarios.

Part-time model Isabella, now 18, says she used to only talk to her parents and siblings.

But the isolation of lockdown shifted her mindset, showing her how important social interactions are.

And she says her selective mutism is now a thing of the past - and she wants to help others.

Isabella said: "Lockdown made me realise that talking to people was a luxury that I'd previously been taking for granted.

"It showed me anything can happen, and by succumbing to my social anxiety, I was wasting my life."

Isabella believes her condition started when she accidentally held a stranger's hand.

As a child Isabella was labelled her shy, but in primary school, after refusing to speak with her teachers or classmates, she was officially diagnosed. Pictures by SWNS.

She was two at the time, and says the experience knocked her confidence at a crucial stage in her early life.

As she grew up, Isabella, who's one of nine children, recalls only ever speaking to her mum and dad and occasionally her siblings.

Originally, people labelled her shy, but in primary school, after refusing to speak with her teachers or classmates, she was officially diagnosed.

Isabella, from West Thurrock, said: "I was on holiday at Butlin's and instead of reaching out and holding my parent's hand, I grabbed a stranger's.

"When I realised, I freaked out, and the disorder came about shortly after that.

"I began constantly freezing up when I went to say something, and despite teachers' best efforts to get me talking when I started school, I was still more or less mute.

"In secondary school I came out of my shell a bit more. But I was very quiet so I didn't make any friends.

"In Year 10, just before Covid, I remember it affecting my studies, and the news that we were locking down came as a huge relief to me."

Isabella says she felt completely isolated at the start of the pandemic, which began in March 2020.

Isabella Turner.

The pressures of school and socialising disappeared and for months she was left alone with her thoughts.

She is the youngest child by a decade and most her brothers and sisters had moved out.

Apart from contact with her parents, she spoke to no one.

And after a while, to her surprise, she missed contact with people on the outside world.

Isabella says she then held on to that feeling and after changing schools in Year 11 for a fresh start, she was finally able to overcome her disorder.

Isabella said: "The difference between choosing not to socialise with people because of anxiety and being told you can't by a higher authority was what really resonated with me.

"The lockdown allowed me time to think, reflect on my life and get a grip of my social anxiety. It was a chance to reset, and after moving schools for Year 11, that's exactly what I did.

"Since then, I've never looked back."

The NHS says a child or adult with selective mutism does not refuse or choose not to speak at certain times - they're literally unable to speak.

The expectation to talk to certain people triggers a freeze response with feelings of anxiety and panic, and talking is impossible.

Selective mutism affects about 1 in 140 young children. It's more common in girls and children who have recently migrated from their country of birth, according to information online.