So I have my PIP assessment coming up on the 9th November and I'm really worried about going after hearing that they lie (this was from my own gp), ignore what you say and don't take mental health seriously.
I am claiming for bipolar 2, depression and anxiety. I have been told by my doctor and mental health nurse that I shouldn't be going back to work as the stress of that, being a single mum and managing my condition is too much. Stress is a major trigger for manic episodes, then I say inappropriate things/behave in a manic way and this usually end with me being fired 🙄
If I don't get fired I end up off sick for up to a month while I recover from the depression side then the cycle just repeats itself.
When I'm in the depression I don't eat, go out, get up and generally rely on family and friends to look after me, get kids to school, remind me to take meds etc.
I also had a breakdown in the summer where I self harmed and was suicidal.
The problem is at the moment, Altho I'm not completely stable,from the outside i appear ok. I can go out now, am not crying all day, wash, look after kids etc. Last week however I was drinking every day, staying in all day and an anxious mess. If I appear 'normal' at my assessment they will probably give me no points, I'll have to go back to work, have an episode and end up going through all the hurt and depression again. I can't do that to my family again, especially my kids. My daughter has already told someone at school I cry all the time at home 😢
Has anyone got any advice on how to handle this? Both my parents are coming with me to help and apart from taking loads of Diazepam I don't know what to do?!