PIP

Hi Cruella

You have to do what you feel is right for you, but if I was an assessor I would find it odd.

BIS

Hi Cruella

I know you want to get it just right, but I cannot tell you what to say. You have to be you.

I'll use myself as an example. I would never say even to a doctor - "I suffer from overwhelming psychological distress, especially when I leave the house" - because that's not how I speak.

I might say. "Every time I try to leave the house, my heart starts thumping, I start to feel sick and I shake. Sometimes I get as far as the door, but I can't even touch the door handle because I start crying and however, hard I try I can't do it."

It's not just that the second example is how I would speak - I have more chance of someone thinking that I experience OPD by describing the distress I feel, rather than using the medical term.

I'm not saying I'm right - it's just my view. That's why I keep saying to you, I cannot tell you what to say.

Be yourself and do what feels right for you. Have faith in yourself. You know yourself better than anyone else. Just talk to that.

Will you get awarded the points you hope for? I have no idea, but you will increase your stress trying to get every last sentence you say absolutely correct.

There is no one who hasn't been through the system that doesn't wish they had said something they missed or wished they hadn't said something they did say. It's good to be prepared but don't tie yourself up in knots.

BIS