Bi Polar & Finacial Helo

AnnesWitterings

Hello

I was diagnosed with Bi Polar earlier on this year...and have been given Income Support as I was not entitled to Incapacity Benefit as I had not paid enough National Insurance Contributions.
I receive £60.50p per week with a £5.00 deduction taken at source by the CSA so that leaves me £55.50p to live on, for the basics, WRates,TV Licence,Electricity and Gas and Household Insurance..these leave me with about £15.00 per week for food clothes an any essentials.
My rent and council tax are paid for me..can I claim DLA? I cant cook incase I leave a pan on and forget it and find it difficult sometimes to go out unaccompanied, I seem to spend all my time indoors whilst everyone else is out there living there life and I seem to just sit here marking time. My family help a lot but they live a few miles away and the petrol costs of them visiting me and the bus fares are begining to eat into there finances..they subsidize my food but dont say anything but I can add up and feel ashamed that they have to do this.
I did have a small job but couldnt cope with this so am back to square one Income Support, existing as its not living and getting more depressed by the day.
I have a CPN who is useless, and my psychiatrist just nods, listens and gives me a repeat presecription, Im scared the CPN/Psychiatrist scenario will go on indefinetley, I mentioned my not being ab e to not go outdoors unaccompanied and my fear of cooking incase I set another chip pan alight or boiling dry due to forgetfullness but all that happened was the psychiatrist increased the dosage of my tablets and these make me more fuzzy headed and am piling on wieght ( one of the side effects).
Now Im having to go to work focused interviews at the Jobcentre Ive coped with these so far but am getting worked up about them forcing me back into a job that I will not be able to cope with~~~ I do cope reasonably well but have "off" days and dont want to crawl out from under the duvet, and odd days where I feel like my whole body has seized up and extreme tiredness, I always seem to see the psychiatrist on a "good" day.
I wrote down how I felt and gave it to my CPN and psychiatrist but they just glanced at it and put it on the side and have not even discussed it with me its a case of take the pills and see you next time. Im getting myself worked up over this and feel like Im invisible sometimes....Ive lost my sense of humour and am having more bad than good days over this.
I just wondered if I might be entitled to some element of DLA..?? or some other benefit you may all know about.

Im not usually so down but lifes not too god at the moment and I know this will pass and sunshine will be back into my life but I just wondered if any of you with mental health issues had to fight to be listened to like I feel I have to sometimes.

Anne:D

Ames

Hugs. I know how you feel.

I was diagnosed with Bipolar in 2002, a couple of years ago I was told it could be borderline personality disorder, now it's apparantly affective disorder, but I think it's bipolar.

My psychiatrist is useless too, and I don't have a cpn.

I get higher rate care DLA because of my mental health problems. So it's definitely worth applying - I use it to go out and about (gigs, coffee in Starbucks...) so that I'm not just sitting at home doing nothing and getting more and more paranoid and depressed. If you decide to apply, get help from somewhere like DIAL, I'm sure I wouldn't have my award if it wasn't for their support. It can be hard though putting down just how bad it is. But it's worth it, you'll get more on your IS as well.

And I know just what you mean about not being listened to, my dad doesn't believe in mental health problems, I get sick of the 'pull yourself together' attitude. And it can be worse when it's so called professionals. A few years ago I was referred to a psychologist (which I really want, because I think proper therapy will help me more than just pills). They wouldn't see me until I'd been to the ME clinic. The ME clinic wouldn't see me until the mental health problems were sorted out. A couple of months ago my psychiatrist said she was referring me to a psychologist, but I've heard nothing so I'm assuming the referral's been declined.

I hope that helps a bit!

AnnesWitterings

Hi Ames

Thanks for the reply, I know sometimes I think do I we feel this way or is it the BIPolar talking,I have a local branch of DIAL I will contact them tommorow, Im just about able to keep my phone line on..I think phones should be an allowable expense so that you have at least some contact with the outside world.
Also Im going to apply for DLA...might not get it but will at least I will know if I apply.

Thanks once again for the info have a good evening

Anne

nanokitten

if your gonna apply for DLA, contact mind, dial or cab etc for help with the form as it is traumatic to fill in and you need an objective opinion about how well you manage.

also after a year you should qulify for disablity premium on you Income support (or if you manage to get DLA) which would help.

AS income support is means tested you should be entitled to things such as social tarrifs on your gas and electric, hardship loand etc from the council.
Housing benefit and council tax benefit.
I'd get in touch with mind as they will be good at giving financial advice to people with mental health issues and may have other ideas on how to improve your quality of like (like a group or volunteering which might help to build your confidence).

If you are not happy with your psychiatrist you are legally entited to a second opinion, talk to your gp about this and ask if they can personally suggest someone else, they will often ask around or be able to reccomend someone they know.

Errata

Is there a local Advocacy Service or one attached to the hospital you attend? They would be able to help you.

Pssst

I've had a read here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

I am pretty certain that i sometimes exhibit the same symptoms. Howver i have never been to a doctor about it as i consider the symptoms to be part of the normal ebb and flow of life. I still work at least 39 hours a week and just manage and get on with life because there simply is no other choice. I think you should be much more receptive to your return to work interviews.

dmg24

Pssst wrote: »

I've had a read here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

I am pretty certain that i sometimes exhibit the same symptoms. Howver i have never been to a doctor about it as i consider the symptoms to be part of the normal ebb and flow of life. I still work at least 39 hours a week and just manage and get on with life because there simply is no other choice. I think you should be much more receptive to your return to work interviews.

Many people with well managed bipolar are able to work. However, where symptoms are severe, or the mood fluctuations are not/ cannot be managed, it would be very difficult to hold down employment.

Bipolar is a lot more extreme than the normal ebb and flow of life.

Pssst

But surely sitting at home watching daytime telly and popping pills doesnt do it any good either?

dmg24

Pssst wrote: »

But surely sitting at home watching daytime telly and popping pills doesnt do it any good either?

I get the impression that you are trying to stir up an argument here, and I can't see that your posts are helping AnnesWitterings. If you feel that you have symptoms of bipolar or other mental illness, you would be best advised to contact your GP. If you wish to find out more about the condition, reliable information can be found here.

Perhaps you could think about whether your posts are helpful to AnnesWitterings before posting further on her thread?

Pssst

Well her post seems to be a brief resume of her condition and her interactions with health professionals and finally a question as to whether she can get DLA. I guess the best solution to that is to apply for it and see what happens. Taking the lon term view,one has to plan to improve and move on with life otherwise what is the point of living? The plan ahead should be to discuss a strategy and treatment regime with health professionals which will aid in recovery to such a degree that the OP can fully particiapte in society and lead a happier and fuller life.

purplecatlover

Pssst wrote: »

I've had a read here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

I am pretty certain that i sometimes exhibit the same symptoms. Howver i have never been to a doctor about it as i consider the symptoms to be part of the normal ebb and flow of life. I still work at least 39 hours a week and just manage and get on with life because there simply is no other choice. I think you should be much more receptive to your return to work interviews.

lucky you that the symptoms you exhibit are mild enough to not require hospitalization or medical attention. indeed in your case they probably are just the ebb and flow of life, much like what everyone experiences. if only everyone could be the same there wouldnt be any need for psychiatrists and hospitals and the mental health act.