Should I pay for a private psychiatric assessment for PTSD?

[Babbiees]

For my PIP claim?

I was awarded PIP 2 years ago based on my mental health issues, eating disorder and autoimmune diseases.

When I had my assessment my only paper 'diagnosis' were anxiety and depression (I bet you are rolling your eyes already) but I am seriously unwell mentally as well as ND and in the last few years I have had a lot of input from my GP and therapists after a seriously traumatic family even about 4 years ago brought everything to a head.

Because I have been engaging with my Doctor and trying to keep a record of my thoughts I have since been diagnosed with OCD.

I previously had several rounds of CBT therapy for 'genral anxiety ' that I can now see was actually OCD going back 2 decades :(

Over the last few months I have had Tier 3 talking therapy (which was originally going to be for the OCD but the therapist decided to do intense talking therapy first because of disclosures I made about childhood and the traumatic event from 4yrs ago, then another course focusing on the OCD afterwards)

So I have been talking a lot about my abusive childhood and how debilitating my issues are in my day to day life.

I mentioned to my GP a while ago about PTSD and he said the NHS is moving away from making those diagnosises now and wouldn't refer me, he said he cannot diagnose PTSD. But everything I read online says to go to your GP for a referal and nothing about them not doing that anymore

Anyways since starting the talking therapy I feel like it has worsened, to the point where a song from my childhood caused me to go back to a memory and I totally spaced out into that bad place as a kid and I urinated myself in the kitchen. Its happened twice in the last few weeks.

I said all this to my therapist who agrees I have severe signs of PTSD but she also said she cannot diagnose me.

Because of my OCD my brain latches on to any negative connotations and of course there has been a lot about PIP in the news lately.

I can't help but feel like my 'diagnosis' of 'anxiety and depression' do not represent what is going on in my life and those things are a symptom of a more serious mental halth struggle, rather than stand alone issues.

And I keep reading that people with anxiety need to get a grip and get a job etc... and they're going to cut down benefits for people who claim for anxiety etc...
I just can't stop thinking about it at all and the NHS doesn't seem to have an interest in me seeing someone who could look at my life as a whole and give me a diagnosis rather than a GP just telling me I am anxious (when I have been suffering from OCD for almost 20 years without them ever putting 2 + 2 together)

I don't feel 'safe' right now at all and my head is spiralling with the worry of losing my PIP. With the shame and embarrassment of reading what a waste of space I am, over and over and with the frustration of knowing that I am not just a bit anxious, there is something bigger going on and I want help.

And the fear that I am going to be forced intondoing something I can't deal with right now just because I don't have the right words on paper.

I feel like treatment for PTSD is very different and it could actually help me if i got the proper diagnosis and therapy.

But the assessment will probably cost in the 4 figures and its a lot of money.

I have therapy tomorrow, does anyone know if NHS therapists can help refer to other services for diagnosis?

Its 3.30am and I just can't sleep thinking about it all :(

No. PIP doesn't depend on paper diagnoses. It's all about your capacities and needs, and it sounds as if you have enough of those.

It should be said more often, imo, that the ultimate aim of treatments for (c)ptsd, depression, anxiety, etc is to get you managing your reactions sufficiently to be able to go about your life. As you're in talking therapy, you are correctly placed to begin or continue this process. Your OCD might even be a symptom of your residual trauma but, whatever the order of developments, it seems to be leading you to perseverate on a PTSD diagnosis.

Talk to your therapist about how you feel the PTSD affects you and your everyday functioning. Analyse what you can do about it together.

Try not to worry about losing your PIP. It is Reform UK who are proposing the sweeping welfare changes and they won’t be in power for a few years at least.
How long is your award for as the DWP are in the process of increasing the time between reviews? Mine has just been extended until 2032 with no review.
As the PP said, there isn’t any point getting diagnosed with PTSD just for PIP.

I know people always say its 'about how it affects you not the diagnosis' but if I just go into an assessment with nothing on paper and just my own word of whats going on I wouldn't get my award renewed. You have to have piles of evidence and even though its not 'supposed' to be about the diagnosis it makes no sense that government people keep saying things like we need to minimise people with adhd and anxiety getting pip but protect people with things like bipolar and ptsd.

So in my head it feels like I know I have PTSD, CPTSD infact, i hit every single diagnosis criteria and it just sums up how Ive been living for years but an assessor won't take my word for it. I feel like having that psychiatric report detailing how badly it affects my life and that it is a recognised diagnosis, not just something I am saying, would make a big difference to having proof of how bad my situation is right now.

And the NHS aren't being forthcoming with it so I could use my credit card and pay it off with my PIP because I feel its beneficial and if i get it done privately my GP might take notice and I might be able to get EDMR or something?

It was July 27, extended to July 28.

You're creating problems. You have a GP and a therapist. Fill out the form and give them as references for further information.

I receive PIP. You already do, too, so you don't need guidance on finding the correct terms, etc. I didn't send in any medical reports.

Speak kindly to your OCD! Remind it that you've succeeded once and will this time. It's trying to make you jump through extra hoops needlessly.

Honestly you’d be better using your money to pay for trauma focussed therapy, that would improve your life no end. Even with diagnosis it’s very very difficult to get decent trauma therapy on the NHS so all you’d have is a piece of paper that keeps you stuck in a place still without treatment.

Please tell your therapist about the incident with the music, with trauma it usually feels worse before it gets better because you’re shining a light on things you usually keep packed away, a good therapist can slow down the process to make it more manageable.

But if I lose PIP I won't have the available income to carry on with the things I need. If front this expense then I could ensure I carry on getting PIP so I can fund ongoing private treatment in the future once Ive paid this off?

It feels like if I don't persue the CPTSD diagnosis then when my renewal is due they will just write me off as an anxiety scammer and I can't cope with that on top of everything else. Having a PTSD diagnosis feels safer because thats not something people are going after right now. It feels like proof that I am worthy of getting PIP :(

A written diagnosis will not 'ensure you get PIP'.

You could ask the psychiatrist to write a summation of your support needs relating to (C)PTSD but it will say 'Patient reports XYZ and feels ABC will support her ability to function'. That's all it can say, as the shrink doesn't go about your life with you. And you'll be telling the DWP this yourself.

You're thinking £4k can buy you a key to unlock PIP ... and yet, you know it doesn't work like that!

TALK THIS THROUGH WITH YOUR THERAPIST, PLEASE.

Its not 4k, its £400

I meant 3 digits not 4.

I know it doesn't ensure it, I just feel like it would help.

I am going to talk about it tomorrow.

Well today. Its 5.30am and ive not slept :(

As a mental health practitioner- you said it yourself “a diagnosis of PTSD feels safer”.
GPs can and do diagnose PTSD frequently.

A diagnosis of PTSD is likely to add nothing to your PIP application.
Trust me iv supported many PIP applications.
Its about how your mental health affects your functioning- and you can describe that by saying “due to my fear/ anxiety/ distress i cannot do xyz without xyz”

You do not need to pursue this. Please don’t be that person.

"Please don’t be that person."

What does that mean? What person?

Can you ask your therapist or your GP to write you a supporting letter that outlines all of the things that you mentioned here that you are struggling with? I think that would carry more weight than a diagnosis. I do understand your desire for it. I am on the waiting list for various things and it’s so frustrating because then it’s hard to access Support but you already have Support so use that to focus on getting what you need to get through each day and ask them to to write something for you.

Your review isn’t due for another two years, with appropriate treatment you may well recover enough to not need PIP.

I have 2 sessions left of the intensive talking therapy and I feel worse than ever, its brought up so much and the CBT is the same as ever.It just doesn't click with me.

I've been this way since childhood, I've always struggled so badly with people.

I don't leave the house alone. Ever. Hand on heart. Its been about 7 years since I walked to the local shop alone. I need support to leave the house.

You don't understand how bad it is. There is no way I will be a fully functioning person by the time of my review. I'm fucked up and not right. Even having therapy today, with someone I've seen a dozen times, has had me up all night worrying becausePIP are 'coning to get me because of reform' I know its not true logically but my brain won'tallow my logic to calm me
Ive put towels over my bathroom window this morning whilst peeing incase there is someone from PIP outside with a camera taking photos of me in the bathroom (why would that even be a thing??)

. How could I have a full time job and be 100% well enough to show up every day and support myself.

I know you will say Im just writing myself off but you don't see what it is like inside my head.

This isn't some idle threat or manipulation (you don't control PIP) but I honestly know that if I lost PIP and LWRCA I would end my life.
I had a telephone call with UC the other day for a review, my husband was with me. I cried because the line was bad and it was frustrating and embarrassing repeating things and getting caught in middle sentences. The woman on phone was so good TBH and ahe apologised to DH during his call because I was so distressed. Anything to do with the DWP puts me in such a state of panic. If they said I'm fit to work and called me in for job searching right now I wouldn't be here in a week.

This is why its so hard. Im fucking terrified of everything. Im in a constant state of hypervigilance to save myself against the next 'bad thing' that is coming.

You don't understand the things I've been through and what happened 4 years ago. I barely cope as it is. That is why I get PIP. Because of the amount of support I need to stay fed, clean and medicated.

I'm not saying i will never work again in my life, but I just don't think I will be well by then. I just don't see what I could do that would keep me home and not have to interact with people much.

I don't know where all these jobs for people like me would suddenly come from and who would choose to hire me with years of unemployment due to mental health issues and no social skills or employment skills.

I just feel so shit and guilty for needing to be on PIP. A complete drain on society.
I wish I was never born.
I have no joy in my life whatsoever

I understand your fear. I get access to work and if they take it away I won’t manage my job. My son also can’t leave the house at the moment. I think don’t get ahead of yourself. You should be able to evidence your need. Keep records of everything, get reports etc. letters from GP. There may be a local charity who can support you when the time comes. Don’t feel guilty. If you need it you need it. Take it a day at a time.

Given how impacted you are, the professionals involved in your care will be able to support your PIP renewal. I’d just be very wary of paying to seek a diagnosis that won’t necessarily change anything for you, but you’ll be left with the debt.

I’m not saying things aren’t very difficult for you at all, nor am I suggesting a miracle cure round the corner. You don’t need to prove to me that you’re in need of financial support.

Mental health support on the NHS is appalling, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t be diagnosed by the NHS. If anything services are more trauma aware than they ever have been, I’m surprised you’ve been told they won’t diagnose PTSD, because I’m seeing more trauma related diagnoses not less.

I'm so sorry for the difficulties you've been through and continue to experience.

Quite apart from the PIP claim, I think you would benefit from being under the care of a psychiatrist as your GP doesn't seem to be taking you seriously. Have you had a referral to a clinical psychologist?

Plenty of people are diagnosed with PTSD because unfortunately it is a real condition. I feel like you've been fobbed off.

I think you'd maybe be better focusing your energies on how to get better, rather than how to get another diagnosis to help you stay unwell enough for PIP? That seems to be causing you unnecessary distress right now.

Having now read all your messages, I can see how much distress you are in.

What kind of talking therapy are you receiving?

If you have cPTSD I can understand why you need a diagnosis. It doesn't go away on its own and you do need the appropriate treatment to prevent it becoming worse.

I'm concerned that the talking therapy you're receiving could be making your situation more difficult - you need help from someone specialised in dealing with trauma and specifically cPTSD if that's what you have.

I know you're in a state of high anxiety right now and your distress levels are very difficult to bear. You know yourself that you're not thinking straight and some of your behaviours aren't rational. I wonder if the PIP assessors have aligned themselves in your mind with whoever caused the previous trauma.

Please know that this assessment business is not today's worry. It's not a worry at all.

You definitely need to be under the care of a psychiatrist because there are medications that could help you with the suicidal ideation. GPs aren't specialists and aren't in a position to make the decisions that consultants can. I also think you would benefit from being under the care of your local community mental health team. Ideally a short period of time as an inpatient getting the medication right and receiving more support would be helpful but you're not going to be offered that as things stand.

Regarding the diagnosis, if it will bring you some peace of mind and allow you to access EMDR (good shout) then I can't see why you shouldn't. It won't be easy to talk about because avoidance is a key factor obviously but I'm sure you know that. I would also be prepared for your emotions and thoughts to become fixated on something else once this is accomplished.

I'm so sorry for everything you're going through.

I'd be interested to know the qualifications of the person you're seeing and exactly what kind of help they're offering.

She isn't trying to stay unwell, don't be ridiculous.

I would, I mean I did. Several years ago after basically getting no help from GP other than ‘take these pills’ which I absolutely cannot do. Anyway my OCD makes it hard for me to know what’s real and I need it in writing. I needed the diagnosis for me. So I didn’t feel like a fraud and failure. No idea with regards to PIP but tbh having that information will always be far better than not. I used a private psychiatrist who also worked in the NHS as a consultant at the time

That level of mental illness - agoraphobia, irrational sense of being watched, distress on the phone, fear of losing PIP and so on - is not going to be resolved by any single diagnosis. If this therapy is not helping, something else might. It might be worth paying towards that but not to go into it with any fixed diagnoses in mind. What is it you use PIP for currently that you so fear losing?

You are obviously really struggling but you need to try to believe what everyone here is saying to you. You don’t need an official diagnosis to get your PIP renewed. You just need to fill in the form to apply your difficulties to the criteria and you have obviously already done that to get PIP now. You have evidence of your interaction with your GP and your therapy sessions so you can attach those if that makes you feel less anxious but it’s not for two years anyway so please try to relax about it for the moment. Who knows how you will feel in two years time.

It is absolutely available through the NHS. I receive trauma based therapy (EMDR) through talking therapies and have a PTSD diagnosis on my medical records. Support is limited a a specified number of sessions but you can be re-referred when they end. Bracket PIP for now and focus on getting the right support to help you process the trauma.

This resonated so much with me and you explained it perfectly. My OCD absolutely affects my ability to distinguish what is real and what is an intrusive thought. I find myself asking for reassurance constantly on the most basic things incase its just in my head.

I think its the validation of the diagnosis that I want more than anything. I literally tick every single box for CPTSD and everything I read is just me down to a tee but unless its coming from a professional then its just in my head and me being crazy again.

When I read about CPTSD it feels that THAT is my problem, that all the other things I've been told I have are symptoms and consequences of that and because of my childhood it just fits.

And the treatment for it is very specific.

All I keep getting offerednis CBT therapy.

I am having tier 3 talking therapy, thats all I know its called?

But I talked to my therapist today and asked her if she can help me get a diagnosis and she said she would talk to her superior about having a secondary referal (?! I think thats what she said) to a psychiatrist for diagnosis but again, she said that they don't like to do that.

I'm really confused as to why they are so reluctant for me to see a psychiatrist. I have a history of mental health issues going back 20 years, I don't think its unreasonable to want to see someone who specialises in that area rather than just seeing different GPs over and over.