The ESA medical for people with anxiety and depression

dmg24

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

I'm still waiting for my new esa50 form and a date for my medical, what's the betting it arrives after the 28th...when the MH descriptors have changed :mad:

If you do receive if after that date, it will not be related to the change. There has been no policy decision to delay assessing MH claimants.

rogerblack wrote: »

Is it in fact required to complete it on a supplied copy of the ESA50, not one you've printed out?

You can complete it on the supplied copy or a printed one, or you can use plain A4 paper and refer back to the form.

sunnyone

GlasweJen wrote: »

I use readwrite gold, nice and simple for blondes like me

I cant hear enough to use most assistance programs, my next aids will be blue toothed but my audiologist dosnt think they I have enough hearing for them to be of much use to me.

Cindabella

Just to let people know i passed my medical first time! :j I was soooo nervous and anxious. I too suffer depression and anxiety attacks.

Only just realised i don't have to send anymore medical certificates from my doctor in too.

Got a hearing shortly and this is for the beginning of last year, as they stopped my money and said i was fit for work just because my sicknote was late... for 5 months i didn't receive a penny.. and i didn't know what i could do... i was severely depressed and just let everything get on top of me... i couldn't cope with the stress. Eventually i went to the CAB who said i should open a new claim which i did and then i had my medical about 2 months ago and passed!! The hearing is for the period where i lost out on 5 months money! I got into so much financial debt and the stress was unbearable. I won't be attending the hearing though as i really don't need anymore stress, anxiety and worry, and they've said i don't need to attend. So i will find out shortly if i will get the money due to me! xx :A

Cindabella

Just to let people know i passed my medical first time! :j I was soooo nervous and anxious. I too suffer depression and anxiety attacks.

Only just realised i don't have to send anymore medical certificates from my doctor in too.

Got a hearing shortly and this is for the beginning of last year, as they stopped my money and said i was fit for work just because my sicknote was late... for 5 months i didn't receive a penny.. and i didn't know what i could do... i was severely depressed and just let everything get on top of me... i couldn't cope with the stress. Eventually i went to the CAB who said i should open a new claim which i did and then i had my medical about 2 months ago and passed!! The hearing is for the period where i lost out on 5 months money! I got into so much financial debt and the stress was unbearable. I won't be attending the hearing though as i really don't need anymore stress, anxiety and worry, and they've said i don't need to attend. So i will find out shortly if i will get the money due to me! xx :A

Cindabella

Just to let people know i passed my medical first time! :j I was soooo nervous and anxious. I too suffer depression and anxiety attacks.

Only just realised i don't have to send anymore medical certificates from my doctor in too.

Got a hearing shortly and this is for the beginning of last year, as they stopped my money and said i was fit for work just because my sicknote was late... for 5 months i didn't receive a penny.. and i didn't know what i could do... i was severely depressed and just let everything get on top of me... i couldn't cope with the stress. Eventually i went to the CAB who said i should open a new claim which i did and then i had my medical about 2 months ago and passed!! The hearing is for the period where i lost out on 5 months money! I got into so much financial debt and the stress was unbearable. I won't be attending the hearing though as i really don't need anymore stress, anxiety and worry, and they've said i don't need to attend. So i will find out shortly if i will get the money due to me! xx :A

dustinjames

might start a new thread.
recently had my atos medical.

the guy said he didnt even read all my form/questionnaire that id filled in!
he said i had written too much and hed be there till next week reading. basically he couldnt be bothered to read it.
i said will anyone read it? he said maybe. (?!?!)

the interview/medical was alot of new questions that were not in the form.
im wondering if the decision will be made by the face to face medical or in conjunction with the form i filled in.
or does one carry more weight?

there was a little physical test at end, very very very simple and basic. Wasnt aware they did this.

so much of what i wrote in form was not even spoken of.

not sure what to make of it, if it went well or not.

i was asked to describe all health problems, i said its in the form. theres so many, my mind was blank. i didnt know where to start.
they couldnt be bothred to read the form! not happy with that.

so he said i cant even see the report (incorrect isnt he?)

whats my next step? wait? or request the report he has written or something like that?

thankyou

sdav_2

geministar2008 wrote: »

Has anyone who has been claiming Employment Support Allowance, actually successfully passed the medical assessment on the grounds of suffering from anxiety and or depression.

I have an ongoing thread in relation to my situation. But i am keen to know if anyone has gotten through this awful ordeal ok and had the benefit left intact? Are they seriously failing all people who suffer from this mental illness. Yes we may look physically ok, but inside we are far from ok.

When i eventually recover from my issues, which i so hope i do. I am seriously thinking about putting this issue to the government, local MP's etc. The system needs to understand mental health issues alot better than they currently do.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Hi I am really worried about having my assessment with the ESA, I was bullied and harassed by a previous boss and suffered a nervous breakdown was off work for 2 years, they settled out of court, I managed to get a few jobs since but due to my recurring Severe depression, anxiety and PTSD I struggle in a workplace environment, the last job I had, I had a relapse, told them that I had a mental illness and they sacked me, know the ESA want to send me for this assessment and want to know what they asked you ? As you will appreciated this is making my condition alot worse !!

Thanks in advance

Muttleythefrog

sdav wrote: »

Hi I am really worried about having my assessment with the ESA, I was bullied and harassed by a previous boss and suffered a nervous breakdown was off work for 2 years, they settled out of court, I managed to get a few jobs since but due to my recurring Severe depression, anxiety and PTSD I struggle in a workplace environment, the last job I had, I had a relapse, told them that I had a mental illness and they sacked me, know the ESA want to send me for this assessment and want to know what they asked you ? As you will appreciated this is making my condition alot worse !!

Thanks in advance

When you say assessment I presume you mean medical. I assume therefore you've completed and returned your ESA50 form. The healthcare professional (HCP) who does the medical will ask question that will reveal facts that they'll use to score you against the qualifying criteria... the descriptors. Given what you put on the ESA50 will probably largely drive the sorts of questions asked. The HCP will be looking for typical symptoms of anxiety and depression if that's what you've claimed you have... things like facial expressions, trembling, monotony of voice, rapport, eye contact.

Unfortunately the assessments are very superficial and not likely to be with someone with a medical background in mental health. So my advice would be to read up on the descriptors, remember what you've put on the ESA50; maybe take a moment before answering questions at medical because the question may be subtle to find out something that will be used to assess how badly you are affected by mental illness... e.g. when walking to the assessment room the HCP may ask if you got to the assessment centre okay... if you're claiming you suffer terrible social anxiety that makes being around people difficult then obviously answering 'yeah fine thanks, just got the bus' would not be wise..lol.

If you have supporting medical evidence.. or can get such... to support your claim given what the descriptors are then it could be invaluable. Take a copy to the medical so it is considered... although some advise just sending it to the DWP for the decision maker.

Perhaps 3 or 4 working days after the medical ask the DWP to send you a copy of the medical report. This should give strong indication as to how you scored and whether you're going to get awarded the benefit.

cit_k

dustinjames wrote: »

might start a new thread.
recently had my atos medical.

the guy said he didnt even read all my form/questionnaire that id filled in!
he said i had written too much and hed be there till next week reading. basically he couldnt be bothered to read it.
i said will anyone read it? he said maybe. (?!?!)

the interview/medical was alot of new questions that were not in the form.
im wondering if the decision will be made by the face to face medical or in conjunction with the form i filled in.
or does one carry more weight?

there was a little physical test at end, very very very simple and basic. Wasnt aware they did this.

so much of what i wrote in form was not even spoken of.

not sure what to make of it, if it went well or not.

i was asked to describe all health problems, i said its in the form. theres so many, my mind was blank. i didnt know where to start.
they couldnt be bothred to read the form! not happy with that.

so he said i cant even see the report (incorrect isnt he?)

whats my next step? wait? or request the report he has written or something like that?

thankyou

Complain to atos, and if a dr complain to gmc, a nurse complain to nmwc.

a) they HAVE to read your evidence, failure to do so is in breach of atos/dwp rules AND breach of GMC/NMWC good practice.

b) they have to offer you a copy of the report before it is sent (ATOS/DWP NEVER do this for IB or ESA), but not doing so means breach of gmc rules again.

CountryGuy

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Nobody can say for sure about any of your questions but the chances are greater for you being asked to attend the WCA than not.

As for which group you would be placed in is anyone's guess.

I've read of people with the same illness being refused ESA, others placed in the work group and others (like myself) being placed in the support group.

So unfortunately, until you have had your assessment you cannot (nor anyone else) predict the outcome.

Good luck, trust me it stresses everyone going through the process, it isn't nice for anyone. :-(

Let your GP know that you intend to claim ESA and see him regularly, not just for fit notes, and also let any other medical person involved in your care for your illness know.

Take your time completing the form and keep a copy of it for yourself and even one for your GP and over medical professionals involved in your care.