Scared, depressed and skint

spring_chicken

I have been unable to work since 2003 due to anxiety problems, and after I had to leave my job I was awarded incapacity benefit, every so often I would be "called up" for a medical and each time they agreed that my condition was severe enough to receive incapacity benefit. But in june of last year I had a medical with someone from a company called Atos who didn't let me answer questions with an explaination (it was just a yes or no he wanted) and then decided that I wasn't eligible for the benefit. Since then i have been waiting for a decision to be made on the basis that the report he wrote on me was incorrect, twice my case went to tribunal and was adjourned and I am now waiting for a new hearing date as they have only just obtained my medical records from my GP, this has been ongoing for almost a year now and I am at my wits end, I cannot go out and find a job, I wish i could, but what I suffer from makes it impossible for me to hold down a job, I have tried to find something I can do "working from home" but haven't had any luck with that, and i can't sign on for JSA as i am not really fit and seeking work so I would be lying.

I don't know what to do, we are maxed out on our overdraft, we don't have a penny in the bank, I feel so low and deprressed and think I am such a burden to everyone.

I feel awful having to draw benefit as it is, having worked all my adult life (and even as a part-timer when still at school) and now through no fault of my own I am in this situation. I am scared we will lose our house as we wont be able to pay the mortgage.

welshmoneylover

You seem to manage to type fairly good with a keyboard. Why don't you try and find work whereby you can stay at home and just type out CVs or something like that.

I know anxiety problems can be dreadful, just thought it might lift your spirits ifyou had a purpose each day.

cattie

Incapacity benefit medicals are what they call computer based, which means the dr will just ask you a series of set questions & record your answers.The points you get awarded are based on the answers you give to the set questions.

Do you have any other income other than the incapacity benefit?

Are there any day centres or anything you can go to so you're not sitting around letting things drag you down?

Couldn't you do a little job such as doing housework for somebody that was out at work all day? There would be nobody else around to affect your anxiety & it would help towards the mortgage & the other bills.

Bogof_Babe

I'm surprised that in six years your doctor hasn't managed to sort out some type of medication to help with the anxiety. Are you getting any actual treatment? If it isn't working I'd be asking for a referral to someone else.

bestpud

Is your OH working and if so, is he/she on a low income?

Are you getting any help at all with your anxiety?

welshmoneylover

I have to agree with you all. If I sat around the house all day for 6 years I think I'd be suffering with anxiety and depression.

You need to get out more, maybe have some fresh air it might perk you up. Have you got a dog or even borrow one and try taking it for a walk. You never know you might strike up a conversation with someone and it might brighten your spirits up. HTH

dmg24

welshmoneylover wrote: »

I have to agree with you all. If I sat around the house all day for 6 years I think I'd be suffering with anxiety and depression.

You need to get out more, maybe have some fresh air it might perk you up. Have you got a dog or even borrow one and try taking it for a walk. You never know you might strike up a conversation with someone and it might brighten your spirits up. HTH

You might be trying to be helpful, but to many in the OP's position that is downright condescending.

spring chicken, I can only echo what others have said, are you getting proper support from your GP and mental health team (both for your condition and your appeal)? I understand that it is nowhere near as easy as borrowing a dog and meeting random strangers in the park. Good luck x

KimYeovil

dmg24 wrote: »

You might be trying to be helpful, but to many in the OP's position that is downright condescending.

It may well be condescending but it's a darn sight more likely to be successful than drugs or some namby-pampy soft team indulgently (if not condescendingly) stroking their hand and saying 'there, there, how are you feeling today?'

bestpud

KimYeovil wrote: »

It may well be condescending but it's a darn sight more likely to be successful than drugs or some namby-pampy soft team indulgently (if not condescendingly) stroking their hand and saying 'there, there, how are you feeling today?'

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

healy

bestpud wrote: »

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Well said.

"Three icons paint a thousand words"

welshsue

Have some of you actually suffered from depression and anxiety attacks. I HAVE AND STILL AM. No matter how much medication I take, I still am suffering with depression and have severe anxiety which means I cannot leave the house, answer the door or telephone.