I am so glad its been sorted. I had real problems with mine [was in limbo for a year before the decision to put me in support group was made] so I am pleased it's been decided without a medical [those medicals are a farce, a complete joke!].
i have my medical tomorrow for ESA.It has caused me a lot of panic and i am really worried.Someone from the mental health team is coming with me but it still seems so daunting.
The last medical i had [for incapacity] five or six years ago in a different area was scary for me cos the doctor didnt believe the things i told them.It really upset me.So i dont think thats helping.
Not trying to hijack your thread though!Glad you sorted it and im definitely gonna read those links tonight now.Thanks people.
xx xx
i do not always manage to be around but i wish you all the very best - love and luck to you all!
I found out today that I failed my medical with ATOS.
I'm in a bit of a quandary, I am bipolar, and almost all the jobs I've ever done have only lasted a little while before I end up terribly depressed, suicidal, cutting, having the home treatment team round because I don't want to go to hospital etc...so my psychiatrist said I shouldn't work for the moment. But I am quite well at the moment, and the nurse that assessed me must have noticed that.
I don't know whether I have grounds for appeal. I don't know whether I am even morally right to be claiming sickness benefits. I need the money! I've eve3n applied for DLA but I shouldn't think I'll get that, mostly because then mum could get carer's allowance, seeing as she is the one who makes sure I wash, eat, get out of bed and go out.
I can't believe that a nurse from a private company can overrule a consultant psychiatrist and a gp!
Currently interested in Christian/biblical views of self-injury and how you relate faith to si...get in touch if you are interested in this too!
Hey, I'm really sorry to hear about that!! That's totally unfair as your psychiatrist and gp obviously agree you're not ready for work. I really think it should be your psych who decides these things. I definitely think you should appeal with the help of your psych x
Ms Maudlin - It's always worth appealing the decision. It is well known that the ATOS assessment is biased against people with mental health problems as it largely ignores the fact that sometimes conditions can be absolutely crippling to the point you wont leave your bed, whilst other times you can function almost to a normal degree i.e. able to make yourself breakfast. The assessment lacks flexibility. Around half all people who submit an appeal go on to be able to claim full ESA.
The nurse who did your assessment isn't the one who makes the decision on whether you are eligible, they are merely tasked with asking a set list of questions and recording your answers. They play no further role than that. The recorded answers are then sent to an independent person who wasn't at the assessment, who then assigns your responses a score. You have to score at least 15 points in the assessment to be able to claim ESA.
It's a silly system really, as a 20-60 minute interview is not enough time to get to know someone. Especially when it can take a psychiatrist months even years to fully understand a patient and diagnose them. As I stated though, if your doctors don't believe you are fit to work make sure you submit an appeal
Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Especially when it can take a psychiatrist months even years to fully understand a patient and diagnose them. As I stated though, if your doctors don't believe you are fit to work make sure you submit an appeal
I have had my psych for over 3 years now (nearly 4). I asked him at my last appointment how long it took for him to diagnose that I had schizophrenia and he said 18 months. So yeah.
I have heard other people with bipolar having had to appeal. I would definitely appeal. It's not simply a question of the extra money (well extra compared to JSA), it's the fact that you have a genuine illness. I know if I were forced back to work then I would be like you, cutting tons, suicidal. I knew I didnt need that pressure, and of course, it would effect your ability to get/maintain a job.
So yeah. I would submit an appeal asap!
Wannabe CPN : -)
"He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life." - Homer Simpson "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" Sanity is a nasty disease. The world would be a happier place without it. - Rilic
RIP Kat 4th July 1987- 11th June 2013
I've just applied for ESA which I thought would be good, considering JSA was such a friendly place where they were kind, thoughtful and leniant..... at least, in an altenate universe.
First place I went I tried to explain that finding work wouldn't be easy for me because of mental health, and they wouldn't have it. "Everyone gets nervous. Everyone has moments when they feel down. A lot of people have to make do with a job that they don't like. Why should you be treated any different" I left and didn't go back for months, once I'd spent everything I'd saved up on rent... that was horrible. Even now my parents bring up this money I had saved up and they say it just got spent on nothing. No, it got spent paying them rent.....
Second time, they did direct me to ESA, but it looks like it's a horrible, draining road ahead. I have to go back to my doctor again in a week, just to reaffirm that he still doesn't think I am ready for work.
I am not looking forward to any kind of assessment.
"Alright, gang. I'll ignore that some of you are late... if you ignore that I'm the latest."
I have one of these assessments tomorrow, I'm really worried. I have BPD and clinical depression.
I've never had one of these before, I know I'm to take my meds and letters from GP and Psych but it help if I took a copy of my journal with me? It's just that some days are better than others (as I'm sure you all know) and I want them to see what a typical day is like for me and how I struggle to cope sometimes.
My personal opinion is that if you're happy with them reading your journal, there is no reason why you shouldn't take it. Perhaps be ready with parts you want to show them though as I'm guessing they won't have time to really have a good read of it. I think taking letters from your gp and psych will help you a lot though! Good luck with it! x
I had my medical assessment on Thursday and was literally in there for probably five minutes? Ten at the very very most. The HTT lady took me to it but the nurse assessor hardly asked anything at all. How long did everyone else's take? I have not been paid a penny from them since I applied before Christmas.
