bipolar/DLA?

dmg24

mitchaa wrote: »

Is Bi-polar a lifetime disability or do those that claim DLA inform the authorities when it subsides?

I suspect if you get used to the money you can just carry on claiming to be depressed? Is this the way the system works

How do you diagnose bi polar from say a bad mood?

Curious, always good to learn something new

Bipolar is a much more complex condition than depression (although I am not saying that depression cannot be very complex in itself). It is likely to be a lifelong condition, however many cases can eventually be managed to some extent (though rarely completely) by medication and condition management.

If you need any other information the website for the Royal College of Psychiatrists is an excellent source.

dmg24

rockie4 wrote: »

Thanks for the help!

He does have a CPN but he's off sick at the moment!
I'll see if he can fill them in himself other wise I'll pack him off to MIND as we have one nearby.

I'll have a look throught the links you've suggested.

The psych did ask about social workers and the like but we don't have anything like that just a very supportive GP. The CPN has said he thinks it's bipolar II and from what I've read I think i would agree......it's quite stressful though!!

Thanks again and sorry if I caused a problem, I did post on the D&D board but it was moved.

It is great to have a supportive GP, they seem very rare but are worth their weight in gold!

The DWP have their own guides to help them assess applications. This is the one for bipolar. There is more information in the Decision Makers Guide, if you want me to search it out just let me know x

sandraroffey

citizens advice will help with all the forms and applications. get a social worker!!! they are brilliant and will make sure you get anything you can apply for. they will help all through the process.

you can get income support if you dont have enough stamps, BUT if YOU are working, then income support wont be paid.

lolababy

Hi contact mind they will help with the forms and any advice you need .

rockie4

Thanks again for the help:T
CPN is back next week so we're going to have a chat with him first and then probably off to MIND for a bit of help.

He's currently in a 'high' phase :doh: so we'll probably get something done if it lasts a few more days!

He's only just been diagnosed but he's back at the psych a week on Monday when (hopefully) he will be started on the mood stabilisers (sodium valporate)

He does want to go back to work but obviously he needs to be stablised before he can start looking.

In the meantime I'm reading everything I can find on the subject so that I can learn to cope with it :rolleyes:

cifpower

rockie4 wrote: »

Thanks again for the help:T
CPN is back next week so we're going to have a chat with him first and then probably off to MIND for a bit of help.

He's currently in a 'high' phase :doh: so we'll probably get something done if it lasts a few more days!

He's only just been diagnosed but he's back at the psych a week on Monday when (hopefully) he will be started on the mood stabilisers (sodium valporate)

He does want to go back to work but obviously he needs to be stablised before he can start looking.

In the meantime I'm reading everything I can find on the subject so that I can learn to cope with it :rolleyes:

I went through a high phase last week just when my bank increased my overdraft. I missed my appointment with my psychiatrist and for my blood test but spent £800 on a week's trip to New York (I didn't go as I was scared to go on my own and I don't like being in crowds), £400 on a new laptop (since returned) and £200 on cushions and nick nacks (am keeping them though as they are quite nice). I have since got a new appointment for my psychiatrist in two weeks times.

Now I don't know where I am. When I sleep I can sleep for 15 hours but I didn't sleep at all last night. My head is all over the place.

Claiming benefits can be quite daunting but do not let that put you off. Make sure you claim what you are owed.

dmg24

cifpower wrote: »

I went through a high phase last week just when my bank increased my overdraft. I missed my appointment with my psychiatrist and for my blood test but spent £800 on a week's trip to New York (I didn't go as I was scared to go on my own and I don't like being in crowds), £400 on a new laptop (since returned) and £200 on cushions and nick nacks (am keeping them though as they are quite nice). I have since got a new appointment for my psychiatrist in two weeks times.

Now I don't know where I am. When I sleep I can sleep for 15 hours but I didn't sleep at all last night. My head is all over the place.

Claiming benefits can be quite daunting but do not let that put you off. Make sure you claim what you are owed.

I could have written that myself cifpower, I know just how you feel (and bizarrely, we buy the same things!). Friends just assume that I have lots of money and in some cases get quite bitter and jealous - little do they know.

rockie4, my psych has recommended the book Overcoming Mood Swings by Jan Scott (ISBN 978-1-84119-017-4). The cheapest copy I found was at WH Smith online, think is was around £7.

cifpower

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=4287938 - £6.49 from Waterstones. Might buy it for myself

rockie4

cifpower wrote: »

I went through a high phase last week just when my bank increased my overdraft. I missed my appointment with my psychiatrist and for my blood test but spent £800 on a week's trip to New York (I didn't go as I was scared to go on my own and I don't like being in crowds), £400 on a new laptop (since returned) and £200 on cushions and nick nacks (am keeping them though as they are quite nice). I have since got a new appointment for my psychiatrist in two weeks times.

Now I don't know where I am. When I sleep I can sleep for 15 hours but I didn't sleep at all last night. My head is all over the place.

Claiming benefits can be quite daunting but do not let that put you off. Make sure you claim what you are owed.

:rolleyes: Looking round at the huge telescope in my living room and several cameras upstairs;)

He no longer has a credit card!!!

We often comment on the sleep thing, he either sleeps for England or spends the night prowling around downstairs, he said last night that his head was all over the place!

I've never claimed for anything before but we HAVE to now.

I pass a Waterstones on the way home and as its pay day I'll pop in and look for those books.

Ta x

scooby1001

I suffer from scitzo-affective disorder which is a cross between bi-polar and scitzopherina. I am on sodium valporate 1,000mg and quertipine 600mg. I get DLA LRM/MRC indefinately. Last week i got an IB50 through the post to fill in. Saw my phsydoc today who says there is no way i can work and he will write to them if they want me to go to a medical. These illnesses are a terible afflection and if affects the whole family. Unfortutaly my 11 year old daugher has been living with my parents for the last 2 months and i have been told i am still not well enough to have her back. My advice is to get as much supporting evidence as possible to send in with the DLA form although it all depends on who looks at your form. My 18 year old so had no supporting evidence at all and got the same as me indefinatly also which i was very surprised about. Good Luck.