bipolar/DLA?

kendalls_cave

I have Bipolar and get HRC/LRM DLA on an indefinite award

bestpud

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

It's DLA renewal time again but this time I'm going to struggle to provide supporting evidence as I no longer have a CPN (he left and was never replaced) and I haven't seen my psychiatrist for almost a year. My GP is the only person I've seen during this time, usually about other things but he always asks about my MH to see how I'm coping.

Am I going to struggle to get another award? Can my 18yo fill in the part where it asks for info from someone who knows you?

I'm just worried that they won't believe me when I tell them my mood swings are still chronic despite being on medication, yet I'm not actively seeking treatment (truth is I hate my psych)

Anyone else been in a similar predicament? I think it's quite common for people with Bipolar/BPD to be in constant conflict with their MH team.

I don't know the answer, except to say I'd seek help with filling in the form.

May I suggest you start a new thread with this as you will probably get more responses that way?

skipsmum

Definitely get help with the forms, I filled mine in myself in a bipolar & haphazard way and now I have to go to appeal.

skipsmum

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

Um. Bad mood makes family miserable.
Bipolar makes family despair, worry, and have to work ten times as hard to keep up.
Bad mood doesnt need medication.
Bipolar needs a huge amount of medication with nasty side effects.
Bad mood, you go out of the house for an hour and calm down.
Bipolar you go out of the house and come round three weeks later in hospital with no memory of what happened in the interrim.
Thats my experience anyway!

happymumto2

skipsmum wrote: »

Definitely get help with the forms, I filled mine in myself in a bipolar & haphazard way and now I have to go to appeal.

Sounds like me :rotfl:

Filled the book in, refused to let anyone look at it because I was Queen of writing at the time and didn't need any help. I will say I don't think the DM actually read the form or GP report, I think he/she just decided no because they were having a bad day!

GP had put in her report about my severe anxiety and panic attacks, unable to take child to school or collect him, only go out to my sisters house (she organised a party for my 40th and was devestated when she had to cancel it on the night because I could not leave the house and see other human beings!), been shopping about 4 times the past year and had to be taken home straight away because I was in such a state.

DM report Help with getting around outdoors:-

You need help for comfort and reassurance
You do not need help because of anxiety or panic attacks!!

dmg24

happymumto2 wrote: »

Sounds like me :rotfl:

Filled the book in, refused to let anyone look at it because I was Queen of writing at the time and didn't need any help. I will say I don't think the DM actually read the form or GP report, I think he/she just decided no because they were having a bad day!

GP had put in her report about my severe anxiety and panic attacks, unable to take child to school or collect him, only go out to my sisters house (she organised a party for my 40th and was devestated when she had to cancel it on the night because I could not leave the house and see other human beings!), been shopping about 4 times the past year and had to be taken home straight away because I was in such a state.

DM report Help with getting around outdoors:-

You need help for comfort and reassurance
You do not need help because of anxiety or panic attacks!!

It is possible that your GP report does not match the information on your application form. I would get some help with your appeal.

happymumto2

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

Do you know what? After 20 years working 37- 60 hours a week for the NHS, in what I would consider to be a fairly well paid job. They have just finished me on health grounds because I have been in a bad mood for the last year and didn't go to work!!
To be honest I don't know why I didn't have a bad mood earlier, as obviously I am much better off on ESA ( & possibly DLA if I get it on appeal!), than I was earning 3k a month doing a job I loved.

Indie_Kid

dmg24 wrote: »

It is possible that your GP report does not match the information on your application form. I would get some help with your appeal.

This is what happened to me. Oh, and the person who filled it in wasn't my GP. The last time I said this GP was (going to back when my forms were filled in) 2-3 years previously. And yes, my GP was named on the form, as well as a consultant of mine.

feelinggood_2

dmg24 wrote: »

It is possible that your GP report does not match the information on your application form. I would get some help with your appeal.

I feel really embarrased about my DLA application. I filled it in with what I thought were my diagnoses, only to have Pysch tell me they weren't! Oops.

happymumto2

dmg24 wrote: »

It is possible that your GP report does not match the information on your application form. I would get some help with your appeal.

Thanks for that dmg, but everything within reason did match up. They even sent an independent medical examiner out to my house as well, and his report is pretty much the same. Have not lived on my own since I became ill, I either stay in my sisters with my 2 young ones, or she stays with me with her 3 dd's, because my behaviour has been so erratic.

Requested appeal about 4 weeks ago, my sister sent letter in aswell in relation to what she does for me. Have also requested that they seek a report from my psychiatrist. Have spoken to DLA today regarding changes my case is still with the decision maker, I was believed to be bipolar by GP for last 9 months, believed to have a mood disorder (very likely bipolar) and not depression by CPN since last November, confirmed bipolar this week and a total change of meds, so possibly that will make a difference.