MH and PIP. I’m losing my mind.

[MotherofGoblins]

I’m sure many of you have heard this before and will continue to hear it but I really need someone’s help in dealing with PIP. I’m from Northern Ireland. So I’m assuming there might be a few differences in how cases are dealt with over the pond.

I have MPD that was caused by abuse in my past as a child. This combined with severe anxiety and depression makes me a difficult case. I have had numerous therapists and therapy groups but I am on a waiting list for psychotherapy. Anything can be a trigger for me. I find it incredibly hard being out and about. I force myself sometimes for my daughter. She’s 6 with Aspergers and a sever learning disability, her father is not in the picture. I am trying to get myself back into a good place of control and good mental health, I have been out of work because of my condition and to support my daughter. I am not making excuses not to work but right now I’m trapped in my own head. My life is challenging to say the least but I have a great support network from my father’s family. I realise others may be worse but this country is incredibly primitive and the horror stories with PIP and mental health aren’t helping me.

I’ve received an appointment for next week. I told the advisor that I could not go to a clinic and could I please have a home visit. I was told no a home visit wasn’t possible for my case. I don’t know what to do. I can’t face these people without switching. I will be bringing my aunt but it doesn’t help my situation as I’ve explained that new places are so hard for me.

I don’t know what to do. I’ve thrown up because of this. What do I say to these people? Do I ask what their background in mental health is? Will they think I’m crazy? Will they bring my child into it? How do you interact with someone who is judging your every move but knows nothing about your condition and how it changes your life completely? Please I really need help here.

[diaimchlo]

First of all .

After going through the horrendous system for both ESA and PIP you have my full empathy.

Ask your Doctor if he will fax through a letter to whichever firm is doing the assessment stating that you are unable to attend the centre and would need a home visit. Also ask your Doctor and any other Healthcare Professionals that are involved with your care if the DWP or the Assessors have been in touch with them.

May I suggest that you look at a great advice resource for this issue called Fightback4justice, they have their own website and facebook page.

There have been some changes for the good over the last few days regarding MH and the PIP descriptors which are covered on the Fightback4justice page. So please make yourself aware of them.

Please take someone with you for support, definitely ask for the person's professional qualifications, ask for a copy of the report and if you have someone with you ask them to take notes.

I hope that all goes well Xx

[snorkmaiden68]

Motherofgoblins I totally understand. I work part time but cannot do full time as my MH suffers, you deserve the help. We may look fine on the outside (although on a downer I do tend to self neglect) but invisible illnesses are still valid illnesses and why shouldn't you be entitled to help that means you are more likely to stay stable?

[witwootoodleoo]

I’m sorry that this horrid process is causing you so much stress.

Nasty as it is, it will probably actually work in your favour if you genuinely can’t cope when you’re there. If you go and are calm and collected they will probably (wrongly) conclude that you don’t need the help that you do in reality. If you really can’t cope with speaking to them, end up having a panic attack etc it will of course be awful for you but they will at least get to see the difficulties you are experiencing and hopefully give you the support you need.

I do hope that your aunt can go to support you and that you get both the PIP and mental health support that you need.

[ProfessorCat]

I hope that's the case. I had a full on panic attack when my assessor arrived and was screaming and sobbing in terror, telling my husband I was going to die, please call an ambulance etc.

The assessor wrote in his report that I was calm and relaxed.

[CrohnicallyEarly]

I agree with witwoo

For example, I am autistic, but because I spoke to the assessor they decided that I have no problems with social interaction- completely disregarding the fact that you must have problems with social interaction to get an ASD diagnosis.

If you do switch while you are there, it will lend weight to your application. Make sure your aunt goes with you and is seen to be helping you when you need it, then they can see that you need a carer to be able to do certain things.

Good luck.

[snorkmaiden68]

Motherofgoblins your illness is real and you don't need to validate it. Yes physical disability is bad but MH issues are disabling too, they are just often invisible. Take care of yourself and ignore any nasty comments. I have bipolar and to a lot of people I seem fine, in control etc. They don't see the struggle I have to leave my house some days. Which is why I don't tell friends I get PIP coz they wouldn't understand. I tell them it's working tax credit. Bit sad really not to think I can ever be real around people

[JaceLancs]

I work for a charity who support people at medical assessments for PIP ESA or UC
Please pm me if it helps
Generally they will offer a home assessment but only with a letter from your GP stating that this is required which can be due to MH issues as well as physical

[JaceLancs]

Benefits and work is a really good website and will help you work out what criteria you meet and gives advice about assessments etc

[Misty9]

I’ve just provided evidence for someone’s PIP appeal (its often rejected at first application and they hope people won’t appeal. Do appeal).

The only criterion I saw psychological distress acknowledged was in planning a journey - being unable to do so due to extreme distress was maximum score on that one I think. For the others you have to be pretty impaired to score; e.g. feeding yourself, bathing, getting dressed etc.

You can record the assessment. It’s often thought you can’t (including by assessors) but you have a right to. I’ll look for a link...

Definitely gather any independent evidence in the form of reports etc. I’m guessing a psychiatrist diagnosed you at some point? So it would be in a letter somewhere. And get your gp to argue that you need a home visit for risk reasons (in case alter surfaces). I’m not sure how mental capacity works with MPD but I’d hazard a guess that if an alter is running the show then your capacity to be assessed is questionable? And it should therefore be done in optimum circumstances for you. But this is PIP

Finally, are you getting any help from welfare or mental health charities with the form?

[Misty9]

Hmm, unsurprisingly they don’t make it easy to record, but it can be done (from this helpful website:

Sessions can be recorded. There are a few important points to note if you wish to do so:

You will need to give us 3 working days notice before your assessment.
We will ask you to sign a recording agreement. This tells you how you can later use the recording, and helps us keep your details confidential.
You will need to use your own recording equipment. To protect all parties, DWP restricts approved devices to those that produce two identical recordings simultaneously. Please note that this does not include laptops, tablets, smartphones or MP3 players.
For more information on recording your assessment, please refer to the DWP policy on page 43 of the PIP Assessment Guide, or contact our Customer Service Centre. You’ll find the telephone number on your appointment letter or on our Contact Us page.

[Misty9]

I’ve searched for mental health support in NI and am a bit shocked at how little there is. These guys do welfare advice and might be worth a call though www.adviceni.net/advice

Good luck