AIBU to wonder if some pursue diagnoses hoping for benefits?

[WittyFawn]

To feel like a lot of parents are seeking diagnosis of mental health ie; ADHD, bipolar etc for their children or even themselves with the hope of getting benefits for it? Am a mother and grandmother and just an observation from reading and hearing things. Just interested to know what other people think?

We cannot afford for benefits to be increased in any way due to the vast, vast numbers of people applying. The numbers of people applying has skyrocketed. If no action is taken over the next 5 years the number of working age people receiving pip is forecast to rise from 2m in 2021 to 4.3m, costing an extra £34.1m annually. That’s a staggering bite taken out of the national budget. Totally unaffordable. It will be fascinating to see how the number of diagnoses drops when benefits for anything but the most severe ASD is shelved

I feel I didn’t put this correct and I did NOT intend to upset anyone and was not being inflammatory in my post so I apologise if I have offended anyone. I am older and so forgive me if I did. I mentioned bipolar but meant adults. I asked this question as I have a friend who is a teacher at a secondary school who says a lot of parents ask them to refer their children for ADHD but they feel they are not showing any signs at school so that is the reason for my question, not to cause any offence. I’m sorry to anyone I offended

soup.
I feel I didn’t put this correct and I did NOT intend to upset anyone and was not being inflammatory in my post so I apologise if I have offended anyone. I am older and so forgive me if I did. I mentioned bipolar but meant adults. I asked this question as I have a friend who is a teacher at a secondary school who says a lot of parents ask them to refer their children for ADHD but they feel they are not showing any signs at school so that is the reason for my question, not to cause any offence. I’m sorry to anyone I offended

soup.
I feel I didn’t put this correct and I did NOT intend to upset anyone and was not being inflammatory in my post so I apologise if I have offended anyone. I am older and so forgive me if I did. I mentioned bipolar but meant adults. I asked this question as I have a friend who is a teacher at a secondary school who says a lot of parents ask them to refer their children for ADHD but they feel they are not showing any signs at school so that is the reason for my question, not to cause any offence. I’m sorry to anyone I offended

soup.
I feel I didn’t put this correct and I did NOT intend to upset anyone and was not being inflammatory in my post so I apologise if I have offended anyone. I am older and so forgive me if I did. I mentioned bipolar but meant adults. I asked this question as I have a friend who is a teacher at a secondary school who says a lot of parents ask them to refer their children for ADHD but they feel they are not showing any signs at school so that is the reason for my question, not to cause any offence. I’m sorry to anyone I offended

Lots of people apply it doesnt mean they are successful though.

There is a reason why kids don't show it in school and it actually harms their learning. Kids, especially with inattentive ADHD don't always show external symptoms in school because all their energy is spent trying not to get in trouble, then they get home and have absolute uncontrollable meltdowns and that's why parents seek diagnosis - because they need support and it is highly alarming that your teacher friends wouldn't know that.

Blindness is disabillity but if her glasses correct that then she's not actually blind is she ?
It's about what care she needs over and above the care of a a typical chikd the same age.

Children cannot be diagnosed with bipolar, I actually do have bipolar and just to chuck it out there do not receive any benefits at all. I could probably claim PiP but surprisingly have managed gainful employment for 30 years with just a couple of stints as an in patient and the support of a decent DH and MH services. I think all health benefits should have a diagnosis to be able to claim them.

No she's not blind with her glasses or lenses but those cost money which some people may struggle to afford. Her myopia is strong enough that she certainly would not leave the house without her visual aids. Mine isn't quite as bad but I dropped my glasses on a flight once, tiny cramped space, really hard to get down and look and I couldn't see to find them...its panic inducing and debilitating. I'm just saying dont be dismissive of myopia..its a visual impairment that requires correction that can be difficult for people to afford.

As I said I don’t want to cause offence and I apologise if I did

Its not about diagnosis though its about how that diagnosis impacts you
I used to be a mental health nurse and like all mental health conditions
Bi polar affects people differently some people remain stable and are able to function independently ,others cant
If yoy are able to care for yourself independently and get yourself from A to B independently you are unlikely to qualify for PIP regardless of your diagnosis.

It took me months to apply for DLA for my child, who was awarded middle rate care right away. I just didn't have the mental capacity to fill in the forms as well as be their carer. It was on my to do list for about a year.

It helps us massively to provide for their needs.

People have absolutely no idea what it's like living with a child with mental health issues. We are a middle class family living in the home counties and I would never wish my child's needs upon anyone else. It's horrendous and people don't understand.

As someone whose parents were told at the age of 2 that I'd never drive and hasn't read standard size print since secondary school and now can't read large print, I wish my only cost was glasses every few years

My son doesnt have a pancreas he had acute necrotising pancreatitus aged 16 which completely destroyed his pancreas leaving him an insulin dependent diabetic and needing to take enzymes to digest his food for the rest of his life hes not entitled to PIP becsuss he doesnt meet the criteria
Im not dismissing anything just pointing out DLA/ PIP both hsve a criteria to be met regardless of the condition.

Benefits are already given according to need.

To be fair to you, I don't blame you for wondering because the media has certainly pushed an agenda. I think it's heartbreaking for those of us who have struggled to be getting these types of questions constantly either on here on real life. I encourage you to continue to look into it and thank you you for being open to the responses.

Im not disagreeing. Im.not sure why my dds situation isn't classed as a need, but again, I'm not actually wanting to claim, I was responding to a poster that thought it was outrageous someone might think myopia was worthy of DLA...in some circumstances I think.it might be.

I guess because if you opened myopia up to benefits, a huge proportion of the population would become eligible...

I wear glasses myself and don't deny that they are expensive!

I absolutely will; I was genuinely interested and was in no way meaning to cause offence in any way and I have a family friend whose son has adhd so it was not in any way a dig at anyone, I just wondered if it gets abused by some

This was not intended to be rage bait at all: I genuinely am interested in asking if this gets abused by some parents? I apologize if I offended some people, it was not at all my intention and never would be and I truly understand there is the need for this support as I know someone close to me who needs it for their son and it’s a god send.

I apologise for my wording as I did not write this to cause offence or to goad anyone at all and I never would, I was just interested in the benefits system now and if it does get abused as much as we are made to believe? Sorry for any offence caused

Op here; no offence was ever intended at all was just curious with all the headlines in the news about benefits. I do know for a fact that Gp’s are not able to refer children for a diagnosis or further help and it has to go through the school and is it Senco? Maybe that’s why the teachers know so much about it?

For the umpteenth time anybody can apply For DLA and some people do apply for daft reasons however just becsuse they apply does not mean they will be awarded it and you need evidence that substantiates your claim and by evidence I mean proper professional evidence not just a mum says letter from the GP.

GPs can refer for autism, adhd and dyspraxia diagnosis, MH services can and do too as regards the first two.

Teachers are often very poor as regards knowledge re ND,particularly in girls.