I've been increasingly anxious about the future of people with disabilities under this government.
Mental illness can be one of those invisible disabilities, although not always as I am clearly batshit crazy when manic. I have Bipolar 1.
I probably have a serious depressive and manic episode once every 18 months to 2 years despite being medicated and then have to go through the recovery process, get stabilised again and rebuild my life and sort out the mess left behind. This and the time for rehabilitation basically fucks up a whole year in terms of occupation and employment.
My partner was made redundant and now works in a minimum wage job and I'm in recovery and it's been a long slog for me. I don't think many people understand the devastation that a serious full blown manic episode can cause.
My DLA is due to move to PIP in Sept and I'm terrified, as it helps top up my income so I can afford to work part time when well enough. Now I hear that people are being turned down for PIP even if they are well enough to work part time. DLA was meant to be an in work benefit.
Employers don't want someone who's unable to work for months at a time and could randomly become ill. I don't think it's even a matter of the government not being aware. I think it's more a case of them not caring, or even some kind of idealism involved and they think it's a moral failing and your own fault if you can't be a 'productive' member of society. The fact that some people might begrudge me getting a disability benefit makes me angry too. It really isn't a cushty option by any means. In fact, I think the way the government is handling things is making matters worse for a lot of mentally ill people and they are getting more ill as a result.
The local CMHT has been really supportive. Unfortunately, this only seems to be the case when people have bipolar 1 and schizophrenia. Getting good treatment is an indication that you are pretty much fucked, but I'm very grateful for it and they've really helped me after the last manic episode and my life is getting back on track again. The most worrying part is that I'm highly likely to find myself back in the same situation in a year or two and stress, sleep disruptions and other things could perhaps trigger mania or depression sooner that.
A lot of people are in a similar situation and it's just really grim, worrying and quite depressing.
Anyway, sorry for the long post, but AIBU to be terrified for the future of people who are debilitated by serious mental illnesses?
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To be terrified of being mentally ill under Tory Government
61 replies
NightTerrier · 07/01/2017 19:22
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