Support group success - mental health grounds

Hi,

I found out today that I am in the support group for another year on mental health grounds. I know it is not always easy to hear of other's success when you have not had the result you want, so this is not to gloat, rather to try and help others.

I studied the support group criteria on this site and made sure that I focused on the descriptors that applied to me on the ESA50 form. I supplied 4 letters from my psychiatrist (from the last 12 months) and made sure that they were appropriate to the descriptors. The descriptor that mainly applied to me was regarding social engagement being precluded due to anxiety, and also inability to deal with change. I therefore made sure that one of the psychiatric letters mentioned that I had a diagnosis of social phobia. I also amongst other things have a diagnosis of a particular personality disorder. I did not want to assume that the decision maker was medically qualified in mental health, so I went on the MIND website and printed off a page about the illness, symptoms etc. This I added to my form. My welfare rights officer who helped me complete the form thought it was a good idea. I know it is a lot of work and I have had 7 weeks of hell since receiving the ESA50.

I just wish everyone the best. If I had not joined this site, I would not have been so 'selective' with the information I gave and could well have had bad news today.

thanks

That is great news! Thank you for letting us know, it does give us hope whe we hear of satisfactory outcomes. Thanks also for your kind words about this site

Even though I have got the result I wanted, can I still request a 'statement of reasons' for the decision without jeopardising my outcome? I just want to be ready next year when another ESA50 pops through the door. Many thanks

What would I do without you? I would be up a dark creak without a paddle that is for sure - no need to reply. Thanks so much, x