Faking depression

pollsdolls

If he is going to apply for benefits, its people like him who make it even harder for genuine claiments to sucessfully claim.

Bogus claims have resulted in raising the bar so high that really ill people are put off claiming because of the paperwork nightmare. Sounds like he is just plain lazy to me.

He should be careful what he wishes for he may just get it!!

tigerlily

I am absolutely furious! As someone who has suffered with depression people like your friend make me sick. it is already so hard for people with mental illness as people seem to think its "just a case of pulling yourself together" or assume people are faking it to get some time off. It is NOT something to be used as a pitiful excuse to leave a job. Actions like this make it a million times harder for genuine sufferers. Rant over.

jasonwatkins

i think the friend will actually fall flat on his face.

at 18, he probably has this pre-conceived idea of what depression is, and is one of these people who thinks that people who genuinely suffer from it just need to "cheer up a bit".

so he'll go to the doctors and tell them he's a bit fed up, and the doctor will see straight through him.

so in that respect, i'd let him go through with it because he's going to come out of the other side looking like a complete idiot.

if he does get anti-depressants and tries to claim Incapacity because of it, i'd report him for benefit fraud.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Reasons for faking depression:

1) To have an easy life on benefits
2) To get popular recreational precription drugs to sell on

DaisyNelson

Tell him he should be careful what he wishes for.

lifesuckssometimes

BRITAIN TODAY

Call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Lines are open between 7.00 am and 11.00 pm, 7 days a week. It is free and confidential.

babs2008

mannews wrote: »

I think it is disgusting what he is doing. Anyone who has been through this illness will tell you that it is not something to be laughed at and taking the tablets everyday and talking about your problems is very hard. If he does pull the wool over the doctors eyes he is a good actor. You don't just get diagnosed like you do with a cold. It took 3 or 4 years for a doctor to diagnose me. so if there is any justice in this world he will be working with domino pizzas for a long time.

Well said! (and also pollsdolls and tigerlilly).

My family has a history of depression. And someone trying to fake that just to get out of a job is not on.

Savvy_Sue

Why is it your problem? Why is it your job to convince your friend that this is a stupid idea?

When he brings the subject up say something like "I don't think that's going to work, I think it's a dumb idea, let's change the subject." If he's stubborn, that may take some doing, but if he's not going to listen to you anyway, what's the point?

purple12

Working as I do in Mental Health Services, I have to say it is so incredibly difficult for someone to fake a depression to the extent to be actually signed off work for it especially at the age of 18 without already having a history of it. It is hard enough for people with years of documented suffering to have access to the benefits they rightly deserve - he goes to his doctor, he might (depending on the GP) get some pills but he certainly won't be signed off long-term. Partly because people who initially present with low-grade depression would be far better working than being signed off!

I think he has his head in a very strange place and if I could take him out and show him some of the real suffering that is caused as a result of depression, he'd be very grateful for his Domino's Pizza job. Honestly.

piggeh

Maybe he is actually depressed but doesn't want to admit it to his friends. If his friends found out he was off work he would have a lot off explaining to do to them and maybe saying he's faking it will give him some breathing space.

When I was signed off I talked about iapproaching the doctor beforehand witth a friend at work and appeared quite upbeat about it, whereas inside I was a complete shambles.

Or he could be a right tart and is trying to abuse the system of course - let him try I guess if he really wants to, alhough he's potentially doing more harm than good.