LIBRA1's PIP Queries Topic !!!

Thank you Orangeblossom. That is encouraging. I don't have a Care Plan or involvement with mental health services at all. I have been discharged to my GP. I rely on care from him and my family. I provided evidence from them with my PIP2.

Gordon, I know that prayer like a mantra. It helps. Sometimes. Thank you.

Hi Libra

I wish, like so many others and probably yourself that, the DWP and IDS fully understood the MH system and that maybe one day, the DWP would reflect such in their expectations and forms.

Kind regards

P

Hi Petrocelli

Mental health somehow does not attract the same understanding as physical disability, particularly as there is a fine line between not being able to do something and it appearing as though you don't want to do it. Over the years, mainly during depressive episodes, I cannot count the number of times when being encouraged to eat, cajoled to exercise, dress or wash that those caring for me lose patience and snap that I just need to pull myself together or 'meet me half way.' How do you explain that with all your heart and mind you want to but you can't? You just can't. One day blurs into the next and you cannot get out of bed. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Physically, you can do things but if you try, you might get part way through it and have to give up from the effort, exhaustion and futility. Just now, I am managing to brush my teeth and wash my face every morning and it is a novelty. I am proud of myself. I am middle aged and such a thing which any 5 year old will do (for many months lost to me) makes me proud. It's sad.

I fail to see how any disability analyst (health professional) without mental health training or expertise is able to judge/assess whether you have difficulties or not. I really don't see the point of requiring a f2f assessment of mental health claimants if there is medical or other evidence from professionals or carers who can detail your limitations. How is an assessor supposed to in minutes and hours gainsay that? It doesn't make any sense to me.

I agree with you Petrocelli, the DWP's expectations and forms don't adequately reflect the reality of mental health difficulties. As for IDS, he has plans to create a new category of ESA for mental health claimants to be put into a group where 'work is good for you'. Apparently, nearly half of ESA claimants have 'depression and anxiety' and work is a cure-all. How very puritanical. Pathetic, isn't it.

Thanks for your good wishes.

Hey Libra

If I hear hard work one more time by the Conservatives………….I can’t print my reaction, however, I’ve made myself a promise that, if I get through this blasted reassessment, I’ll write to Cameron and Co and let them know that my MH prob’s were as a result of overwork!!!!!!!!!!Too many jobs, too little pay equals more and more hours to pay for the roof over my head. I’m not work shy. I have, however, been to such a bottomless pit of depression, I’d never have guessed possible.

To say nothing of the years of struggle to crawl back up…………………now, like many, I want to protect my MH as best I can, in order that I don’t go that far down again……………..good health, mental and or physical is a priceless acquisition and the fear of rocking the boat, indescribable!

As with most things in life, most people only get their wake up calls when they too, go through something similar……………………..otherwise, ignorance is bliss eh?!

Kind regards

P