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PIP mental health and following a journey advice

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5 years 2 months ago #244377 by Leanne89
PIP mental health and following a journey advice was created by Leanne89
Hi guys,
I am currently struggling to complete my PIP application in regards to the planning and following a journey descriptor.
I suffer with borderline personality disorder aswell as severe OCD.
I manage to go out most days, but this is very very rarely alone. Going out alone causes me severe anxiety and often results in me turning back or making an excuse as to why I cannot go. The aftermath can last for days, and often has a snowball effect.
Public transport is a no no for me and always has been, although I feel comfortable if I drive or take a taxi/ friends drive me. Last time I attempted to take a bus after a sudden break down of my vehicle, i actually fell and injured myself. This is because i cannot sit on the seats due to a high risk of contamination, and the thought of touching the pole brings me out in physical hives and a panic attack! So trying to stand sturdy in the isle is impossible which I learnt after smacking my head on a pole.
I am not sure what descriptor I would meet if any, as I am able to drive. I do not walk alone as i get very paranoid and have the occasional outburst.

I am also worried as I have very little medical evidence to back up my claim. I have recently moved gp surgery (i tend to transfer between professionals quite frequently) and my electronic notes have not yet been moved across. Treatment for mental health in my area is sparse, and I actually had to seek help privately in the past, unfortunately I could not continue with this as it was getting me into debt. I have a full diagnosis and action plan from a phyciatrist and am awaiting a referral to community mental health.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as i am about to give up with the whole thing.

Thank you in advance

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5 years 2 months ago #244385 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP mental health and following a journey advice
Leanne

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

In case you are not aware, your real name appears to be showing in the forum, if you want to change this then follow the instructions in the following FAQ

My full name is showing, how can I stop it?


The Going Out activity looks at three things.

Planning a route - this is primarily a cognitive or sensory (e.g. blindness) activity. You are being asked about the problems you would have with working out how to get from one place to another, you do not need to be able to follow the route that you are planning.

Undertaking a Journey - this is to do with mental health issues such as agoraphobia and social anxiety and is concerned with you leaving the house to go somewhere, they will be interested in the things that stop you doing this. You need to show that you would suffer "overwhelming psychological distress" to meet the criteria.

Following a route - This activity about the problems you would have navigating a route. So are there problems; cognitive, sensory or mental health issues that would prevent you from doing this? This is different from undertaking a journey, in fact, if you cannot undertake a journey then you will not score points for following one and vice versa.

From your post, you would not meet the criteria for being Unable to Undertake a Journey.. so you are looking at being unable to Follow a Route.

Although using Public Transport is included in the DWP guidance for this activity, the legally defined Descriptors make no reference to this so you should not rely on your problems with this scoring you points.

To score you will need to show that you would suffer "overwhelming psychological distress", can you show this?

You say you have moved GP, are you receiving any treatment at the moment? Either medication or seeing a Consultant?

Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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5 years 2 months ago #244389 by Leanne89
Replied by Leanne89 on topic PIP mental health and following a journey advice
Thank you for the swift response.

Yes I am currently on medication prescribed by my new GP, and she has also put in a referral the CMT so I can access the treatment I need.

Yes I believe it does cause me extreme distress if I am alone when i am out. This can be as a result of large crowds, or merely having to stand next to someone at a set of traffic lights. I have a tendency to 'zone out' when I get overly anxious which leads to confusion and even more anxiety. I also get physical symptoms such as excessive sweating,heart palpitations and urgent bathroom trips which leads to extreme embarrassment.

Having someone with me helps to put me at ease, and reassure me and helps me to calm down and carry on rather then turning around and having a melt down for the rest of the day.

I'm sorry for the long post, I'm just not sure how best to explain this for the purpose of the descriptor.

Thanks again :)

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5 years 2 months ago #244422 by Gordon
Replied by Gordon on topic PIP mental health and following a journey advice
Leanne

You need to be cautious with your terminology, words such as "distress" and "anxious" may not be sufficient to show that you suffer from overwhelming psychological distress.

You also need to careful in how you answer questions about your limitations with this activity; you are arguing that you cannot follow a route, you cannot follow the route because the OPD prevents you from doing so, you suffer the OPD because of conditions X and Y which result in limitations or symptoms A, B and C.

Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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5 years 2 months ago #244469 by HappyHappy2
Replied by HappyHappy2 on topic PIP mental health and following a journey advice
Your " full diagnosis and action plan from a psychiatrist " will count as 'evidence' - though do check it through to ensure that it supports what you say.

Also a prescription from your GP is 'evidence' of medication, & perhaps your new GP will write a brief letter confirming your referral?

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