To fake having a disease, just because what I do actually suffer from is unheard of-even with doctors?

[XoticEngram]

I suffer from a sleep disorder which in itself isn't/shouldn't be a big deal. In the grand scheme of things compared to cancer, or some progressively deteriorating mental condition I am lucky.
However it does limit the work that I can do. Basically it is genetically impossible for me to fall asleep before 2-3 am so if I have to wake at 7am for a job that starts at 9am then its unworkable. If I was in a big city, this would not be a big deal but I live in Cornwall-a place with much reduced work opportunities.

As a consequence of this condition I have been claiming job seekers allowance for a long time. I have repeatedly tried to talk to Drs about it but in this country GPs are useless for sleep conditions and do little other than dole out platitudes about good sleep hygiene.

Now my job seeker advisor-who knows that I suffer from this condition- has rail-roaded me onto a 6 month work program placement which demands that I get up at 7am at the very latest.

Basically I have been put into a situation where I will have to endure 6 months of 360 degree hell with no respite whatsoever. I do not compensate any sleep I miss in the same way as other people. Being exhausted does not mean I fall asleep earlier.

Best case scenario- people on this work placement think I am belligerent and have an attitude problem.
More likely scenario- I incur damage to my health (in the form of excema like rashes-to start with) and succumb to alcoholism (something I have abstained from for over a year) and become a danger to other workers due to concentration problems. And end up receiving benefit sanctions on account of failing to meet the requirements of this program.

If I lived in USA and had easy access to a fire arm I might just turn my self off and experience Peace Perfect Peace.

Ive made an appointment with the Dr. It is unlikely that will be able to help me with what I actually suffer from so I am thinking strategically it might be better to say I am suffering from depression/psychosis in order to try and get myself on the sick. If I am forced to do this program this will probably be the result anyway as constant cortisol has a negative effect on any ones brain.

Please by aware-I WANT TO DO THIS PROGRAM. But the people who run it are unable/unwilling to work with me, refusing to acknowledge that the problems that cause unemployment are intrinsically complicated preferring to insist that a 'one size fits all' approach can be used for everyone. I think one of the people who runs it have an RAF feel about them, so they are probably full of militaristic virtue and belief in a regimented application of a hegemonic schedule in the curing of all of societies evils.
BTW- the name of my disease is Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. I doubt you've heard of it, but its a real thing

You should have kept that appointment at the sleep clinic. Sleep apnoea has to be ruled out before you can be diagnosed with anything else.

I do agree with mrsjay and whichever poster said about the alcholism and self medicating probably not helping with sleep patterns.

Sounds like you need to make an appointment with your GP tell them everything and then listen to what they suggest.

At the same time you need to look for some sort of work which fits around where you are now, how about something like a dinner lady?

What I would do op is in a word document type up all the basic info you need- demographics, qualifications, roles and responsibilities of past jobs, etc etc so that it is much easier to copy and paste into online application forms. I would apply for all the Christmas temping jobs- there'll be late night shopping etc and they might want someone who wants to do the later shifts.

Amitriptyline is fantastic for sleep issues.
Ok, it's trading on a side effect, but does that matter?
There are plenty of jobs that aren't normal hours.
I live in a village in the arse end of nowhere and I work Saturday evenings, weekday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
It is possible.

Practical suggestions and OP vanishes, ridiculous. It's people like you who spurred on the awful benefit changes. People who really need help suffer and you will find a way to remain out of work or just drink thinking of no one else.

I think Op said she doesn't drive, which rules out some of the jobs that have been posted.

You say you have a DD? How old is she? How do you manage having a child if you can't get up until late morning? Not being unkind just genuinely curious as I have three young kids and 6.30 am is as good as it gets for me in the mornings!

I don't know much about sleep disorders, but as a resident of Cornwall I can confirm that the employment situation down here is pretty dire.Behind all the shiny postcards it's the poorest county in England. There's a LOT of deprivation down here, especially in towns like St. Austell. And yes, if you don't drive, you're royally fucked- especially if you're looking for night work. In our village the last bus is at 5.30 pm.

I have noticed an upsurge in jobs over the last 6 months or so though, which is great- so perhaps time to have another look, OP?

However, looking at the tone of hopelessness which radiates from your post, perhaps a diagnosis of depression wouldn't be too far off the mark OP? Good luck!

Amitriptyline is rarely prescribed as an AD nowadays because it is a tri-cyclic AD and therefore old fashioned compared to the modern SSRIs like Prozac or Sertraline.

Today it is very commonly prescribed for nerve pain and sleep disorders and is very effective for both.

I think OP that if you put as much effort in to finding a job as you do into justifying why you can't work, you would be gainfully employed by the weekend.

I think people are being harsh. I was signed off on ESA with just "depression and anxiety" for two months. Doctors vary hugely in what they will give a letter for. Frankly although it was a big help, I felt it too lenient and that I should've been expected to do something; just not meet the exact requirements specified by JCP. I appreciate where you're coming from, OP! Do you perchance have a supermarket nearby which offers night shifts? When I worked at one I knew a few who worked only nights, and some had kids. Depends really on whether you're able to stay awake past 3am easily. I know it's not easy as I am from a small town and i.m.o. they really shouldn't have hired me, but it was a new department.

Another thought. I'm guessing that you don't feel that great about yourself either (as you described yourself). It might help you to know that if you do charity work, the people you are helping really don't give a flying whatsit what you look like, or whether you smile often or not, but it can make you feel a whole heap better and will get you talking to people who may be able to identify opportunities for paid work. And give you a reference.

You could be doing charity work between looking for jobs. What do you think?

I think all the people talking about Christmas temping jobs, winter hotel jobs (), even supermarket jobs just aren't getting the employment situation down here. Supermarkets are besieged with applicants every time they advertise a vacancy down here .

Op no it's not disrespectful at all. We are lucky enough to be able to afford life insurance as before we got it sorted I was so scared what would have in anything happened to my dh. The thought of having to prove myself to ESA and being placed in the support group terrifies me. I could not get up early and I could not attend any courses.
My disability that causes me to use the wheelchair is a rare condition I am currently stressing over pip even though I receive high rate mob and care through dla.
I hope you can get a doctors note or whatever you need to excuse you from the course. Sorry I don't really know how JSA works.

tbh, i think you're being melodramatic, i really do.

my son has SN, he DOES NOT SLEEP, we get higher rate care DLA because most nights i only get 4-5 hours sleep if i'm lucky, its been this way for 9 years.

I can function for the whole week on 3-4hrs a night, and then catch up the deficit at the weekend.

Suck it up buttercup and get on with life.

From all the posts, all you have spoke about is how to get out of working. Some fantastic suggestions of lots of jobs that don't require a 7am wake up and people have very kindly posted you links to actual jobs yet you are ignoring these posts.

Like many working mums, when DC's and very young, working and sleep deprivation is a way of life and can be for years.

I find it ridiculous for you state there isn't a job you could start after 9am because you live in Cornwall.

I think your self diagnosis and medication is crazy. You need to push your GP to get you into a sleep clinic for a real diagnosis. Either way there are loads of jobs you could do which would accommodate your sleep patterns. I get the feeling you are just putting obstacles in the way because you are not keen on working. To be thinking of faking depression so you can claim sick benefits is at best fraud and at worst insulting to people who genuinely do suffer. No wonder so many people battling depression are not taken seriously when there are people like you who think that faking it just to go on the sick is ok.

I think one of the people who runs it have an RAF feel about them, so they are probably full of militaristic virtue and belief in a regimented application of a hegemonic schedule in the curing of all of societies evils

This is also a rude statement from yourself. Talk about categorising people. It's nice to hear you speak so highly of people who put their lives at risk, work whatever hours are needed, often live away from their families for months on end and frequently have to work having had little sleep to ensure we live in a safe society.

After school childminders are always needed. Start work around 2-3pm, finish usually 5-7. Not many hours, but a start.

Stubbornstains that doesn't mean that the op shouldn't apply and wouldn't get one? That is a very defeatist attitude if ever I heard one.

People have made lots of suggestions. However, the only way to avoid sanctions from the Job Centre is for your GP to diagnose you with a medical disorder. Some people have said you sound anxious and or depressed and I agree with this. The Job Centres seem to have a remit to get long term unemployed people into work. And that's difficult to fight against unless you have a medical condition which prevents you from working or doing certain jobs. Not sure if the unable to work certain hours would exempt you from applying for jobs.

I live in an area of high unemployment, but we are never fully staffed in the care home I work in. OP, there will be a care home around you that requires staff. A care home which can accommodate the hours you say you require. There is no need to be unemployed and do this very silly course thing. Those that don't drive use taxis or car-share with those that do.

viviennemary - The Job Centres seem to have a remit to get long term unemployed people into work.

And that's wrong because...?

I despair.

Whilst I have every sympathy for you op, a quick look on the Indeed website throws up 215 jobs for evening work in St Austell. Obviously some won't match your skills but it's worth a look.

Btw OP, just checked on UJM and St. Austell has 16 pages of job listings within 5 miles. Where I live we have 3 pages of job listings.

If you would like to be a dog walker why don't you set up as a sole trader doing it yourself? Surely must be one of the easiest businesses to set up. It's great being your own boss and in charge of your hours etc.

Interesting. I think I might have this. Left to my own devices, I wouldn't fall asleep before 2 AM. It is only DH's constant nagging (he wakes up whenever I move in bed) that I finally turn off my Kindle at about 1 AM and grudgingly try to fall asleep - usually without much success for at least an hour. I have to wake up at 7 AM for the school run so I am constantly sleep deprived.

What I have done in the past and I recommend to you now, is to take sleeping aids for a few nights that will knock you out at about midnight, so you can wake up at a reasonable time in the morning. Do this for a week and you will see that your sleep patterns will readjust. Repeat as needed. You don't have to take sleeping pills - old school antihistamines do a very good job of putting one to sleep in a short time.