To be frightened about the Government’s plans for benefits reform?

[PilgorTheGoat]

I am one of the millions of people currently on long term sickness benefits. I receive the LCWRA element of UC and PIP due to poor mental health and autism. I have severe anxiety and depression and I am awaiting an appointment to see if I also have PTSD due to sexual abuse in my childhood.

I have tried every element of support offered to me. I’m maxed out on 2 different types of antidepressants. I have had back-to-back (excluding the 6 month wait in between) 12 week sessions of counselling offered via the NHS. I am on a waiting list for intensive CBT due to my possible PTSD. I am currently having twice weekly private, video counselling appointments.

I can’t leave my house alone due to panic attacks. I struggle to meet my own care needs and my husband has to do a lot of the work for us both (although he works full time). I have a very understanding friend whom I force myself to go for a short walk with twice a week in order to stop myself becoming completely imprisoned at home but I find this very distressing and we have to take the same route each time.

I am so, so scared about the government’s plans to end sickness benefits for people like me. We don’t have a load of spare cash, we’re just about getting by. There is no support available. I’ve taken everything offered and my husband has been very proactive in seeking out other services for me to be involved with. I’d love to be better, I’d love not to live in fear but there is no help.

A lot of physical symptoms rely on patient reporting. How can a patient with Crohn’s Disease prove how many bowel movements and how long they spend on the toilet in pain each day? How can a chronic respiratory disease patient prove the extent of their breathlessness for showering,
for example? Yes, there are some objective tests and markers but the majority of it relies on the person reporting it.

Not always, depends your local authority, and, of course, if you're willing to wait 5 years on a list before the NHS prescribes it.

That costs the NHS money

It doesn't cost the recipient money

Do you have any idea how difficult it is to access appropriate psychological help on the NHS?

On a separate note, bath rails and aids should be free. You can request an assessment from adult social care. There will be a wait but if you cannot afford it and can manage the wait, I’d highly recommend requesting an OT assessment.

Yes!

Currently waits are only 4 months in my area, but if you're that ill, for god's sakes refer yourself.

Of course, the most ill never do 😢 because they can't.

And that's exactly why pip and disability benefits are so vitally important. They provide a lifeline, and financial support to keep up that lifeline.

Except that NHS waiting lists are years long.

It often does. Some have to pay for private scripts/meds as shared care is not available at their GP. That can be a significant amount.

Many have to pay for private therapy OT/SALT etc..

Incontinence pads. Taxis as many can't take public transport. Carers to help deal with support needs. Special diets. Special clothing. The list is endless.

But as I mentioned I'm sure you wouldn't begrudge people with other neurological conditions such as dementia or Parkinsons this support.

Anyone questioning why ADHD would get PIP is merely flagging up their own ignorance about the condition.

Except that NHS waiting lists are years long

And that's if you're deemed worthy of accessing the services.

This.

I am not deemed worthy because I have had "enough" NHS input.

I'm the one saying that i completely understand why people claim it.

I'm questioning why there is money available to claim.

I've looked online and this website, which seems to be in the business of coaching people on what to say to get a payment, suggests it's because people burn food or let it go off in the fridge. FFS.

https://www.adhdadult.uk/adhd-and-benefits/

When claiming, it is important to get across real-life examples of how your ADHD affects you such as the below example:

“Being easily distracted and procrastinating can cause difficulties engaging with self-care. Examples could be often forgetting to eat due to hyperfocus, buying food and letting it go out of date, lack of self-care due to associated mental health issues, having to throw food away due to being burned or poorly prepared.“

Providing real-life examples of how your symptoms affect you can help the chances of a successful claim.

It seems to be a big fat carrot for the workshy to get a fake diagnosis.

As for the person claiming that somebody needs to carry toilet paper, how is that an additional cost? You buy it, you use it.

With the greatest of respect (and because you brought it up), if you’ve been in and out of various facilities and treatments for decades, what more can/should be done? Is there a specific outcome you are hoping for?

It won't happen as they will be booted out before then

Your first two sentences completely contradict themselves.

If you understand why people claim it why on earth don't you understand it brings additional costs?

Do you think private therapists/taxi drivers/specialist clothing/food retailers should just give away their services and goods for free?

It's a neurological condition. Defined in law and protected under equalities legislation. Please stop with the ableist nonsense.

That's me! They need to bring their own clean things with them when they go out. Then they can't use those things at home because they've been tainted by the outside.

So it's an additional cost.

You might think it's ridiculous, but to them it's very very real. If you want these people to engage, and not sit in their beds, you need to realise there's a financial implication. Which costs, in some cases, more than just letting them rot in bed.

But that's good isn't it? We're helping them engage and get back to work?

To be well, to be regulated, to not feel that the best solution to everything is to self harm (or sometimes take my own life), to not feel like I am an alien, to be "normal".
If I could afford it, I would go to Dignitas. But alas, you can't even access it if you have been sectioned anyway.

And is there a specific treatment you have been denied that would result in this?

Big big hugs xenobitch.

I hope you get there eventually, you seem like a very sweet and entertaining person!

I value you x

How would I know? I have had a lot of input from the NHS. They have said they have nothing else to offer.

Thank you, and I mean that. I needed that today.

So it’s not that you’re not ‘worthy’, they’ve exhausted treatment options and have tried every reasonable avenue?

You also make damn good jokes.

Much appreciated! 😘

I think Xenobitch has a lot to offer and huge potential. Eloquence, wit, humour, quick thinking. I think she’s far more capable than she gives herself credit for!

I mask with my sense of humour. Sometimes, it is all I have.

Have another hug from me xenobitch.

Your last post was sobering, I'm sorry you've been on the receiving end of a bit of a pile on in this thread.

FWIW you've clearly got more empathy and emotional intelligence than many other posters. 💐

That's a bloody huge problem with mental health issues!

The very best people never seem to realise just how brilliant they are!

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