Mental health. PIP vs attempting to better myself

[Piparellah]

I'll try my best to articulate this correctly

I've been on ESA for years. My mental health is shot. I have terrible anxiety, depressions and OCD like intrusive thoughts.
I'm agoraphobic
I don't leave the house without a chaperone (my youngest child is 14 so either one of my kids or my husband)

I feel scared even putting the bins out.

I can't walk my dogs as I feel like they're going to get run over or just die if there's not someone with me etc...

My financial situation has got alot worse so months ago I applied for PIP.

I'm currently on medication and have had CBT therapy. I'm awaiting taking therapy.

But I've been doing alot of work on my own.

I've lost a lot of weight and want to be healthier.

There have been times over the last 2 weeks where I've wanted to go for a walk round the park or try to go to the local shop to buy a drink or something.

But I've stopped myself every single time because I feel like if I have my assessment for PIP soon and tell them I can go for a walk alone or go to the shop alone they won't award it.

I absolutely cannot work right now but I want to get better but I feel like I can't even try some very small things to push myself as I will then be seen as well enough to work.

Does that make sense?

And I don't want to lie to my assessor so I'm just staying how I've been for years even though there's a growing part of me that wants to try and leave the house alone.

But if I do that I won't be able to get the PIP I need to relieve some of the stress

I don't think your username suits you, TBH.

What an awful thing to say to someone who's struggling!
Unbelievably cruel.

Not unusual though. People are very judgemental of things like that. They just can't understand.

I think (as you probably know) that there are some rather optimistic replies on here. I’ve been turned down for PIP twice and one of the reasons was that I could walk my dogs.

You’re a lot worse than I was when I applied and I think if it isn’t granted you should appeal. It’s very very likely they will give it to you then.

BTW, do you have a k9 defence spray? I’m terrified of not being able to protect my dogs from an attack but with that in my hand I feel more confident.

They may turn you down and give that reason, but they shouldn’t, and it isn’t a lawful decision. It would likely be overturned at MR or appeal if done properly