IB to ESA letter received

Hi everyone,
I just joined the site fully or I did last week and hope someone could offer some advice please?

I have been on IB for 12 years now after suffering mental health issues, i had a hell of a lot of stress before this but it mainly started with severe panic attacks and progressed to agrophobia chronic anxiety and depression but mainly social phobia, I don't go out or do anything at all socially, ashamed to say I've even missed funerals of family members due to this.

I tired council isn't I tried CBT therapy, I'm on anti depressants beta blockers, gained weight and developed diabetes.

I received a letter last Friday asking me to call the DWP in Glasgow regarding my benefit IB moving to ESA. They say after a call they will send out a questionnaire to see if I qualify for the new benefit.

I'm worried sick to be honest, I don't have a phone anymore anyway because of debt collectors and my old one broke and haven't replaced to it or had the money to, I could call them on my brothers phone when he visits, but a lot nervous to be honest.

The last medical I had over 2 years ago I think at an Atos medical centre was a nightmare, the Atos doctor basically lied and didn't put anything on the form that I said to him, I had to take a diazapan and had my first drink in years in order to get there with my partner in the car.

My IB was stopped, I appealed not having much hope, one by one I went through the documents and commented on why the Atos doctor was wrong and my reason why, things like he will be fine in 6 months.... Did not have a high heart rate, even though I was medicated...
I couldn't attend the appeal because my anxiety was that bad and stated this, I couldn't get anyone to go with me on the date they gave, I've lost most of my friends over the years.
Anyway low and behold I won at appeal which was fantastic.

I now have this to deal with and would be great full for advice from other members who suffer similar mental health issues who have transferred to ESA from IB
Thanks for reading

Thanks for the reply and information Godon, I'll have a good read through it all.

hi. I suffer from similar stuff that you have listed. I recently went from IBS to ESA support group without medical.

My advice would be to list as much information as possible and be as detailed as possible. Also note the descriptors, the one about social contact seems to apply to us both:

13. Coping with social engagement due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder.
Engagement in social contact is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the individual.

I added extra sheets detailing all my issues, making it clear to reference the descriptor above. As well as others, but I cant remember them off the top of my head.

If you have felt suicidal, put this down. List your medication and as much of your history as possible. Its awful but I wanted to give so much information it would make it hard for them to ignore it all

The guides on here are great, use them and make sure you know as much about what qualifies you for the support group as possible.

I wish you all the best, it a nightmare

Thank you Alzon, your reply is appreciated, I haven't called them as I don't have a phone now, but not heard anything as yet, I'm expecting the envelope to drop through my door any day now.
Thank again