Mental Health and IB and DLA

Spirited_2

Afternoon,

I know that mental illness is/should be treated in a similar fashion to physical illness/disability. But I'm looking for some advice on my current situation.

I am 20 years old and I am not working. I have been suffering from depression and agoraphobia for the past few years. I last worked in the summer of 2004 - I was working in a supermarket for 8 months (it was the first job I had). Since then I have twice attempted to start university, in 2004 I started a course which closed. I did not seek a job after the end of the course as I was unwell at the time and had been struggling with attending the lectures etc so decided to take a break until the following academic year. In 2005 I started a new course at the same university, but by the end of the first term I was unable to attend due to agoraphobia. I left the course and have not worked since.

I have not claimed benefit at all. I live with my husband who works 40 hours a week, overtime is a scare resource, but he has been doing it when it comes up. His salary has not been enough to cover the bills for the past six months (after a demotion). We have made up the difference through savings which have dwindled to nothing. I have some money in trust (~£2500) for my 21st birthday, which my parents are willing to give me an advance on to cover our moving expenses at the end of September (we are on a fixed-term let and have yet to find a new home).

So my husband applied online for IB on my behalf. I got a phone call, followed by forms which I have completed. I assume (I've called up and asked the JCP but the people who deal with it were out to lunch) that I'll need a medical certificate/sick note from my doctor. I have spoken to my doctor today and he has signed me off for the next four weeks - but doesn't think that signing me off on long term sick would be the best thing.

I don't know what to do. It has taken me so long to come to terms with my condition - I've always thought that I am just away to get better - and it hasn't happened so far (three years on... :rolleyes: ) - that I felt it not worth applying. I also felt a bit of a fraud because for the most part, I don't have panic attacks anymore - because I have limited my activities to the extent that I avoid them. I can go out on most 'normal' days with my husband if he insists, and I have even joined a social stitching group because he can drop me off. On great days I can nip to the corner shop or walk the dog on my own, but these only happen once or twice a month. On bad days, I don't sleep till I'm exhausted - or sleep constantly, don't eat unless food is put in front of me, and restrict myself to part of the house etc. The problem is, I only ever speak to my doctor on good days!

My condition is debilitating - I have had to leave a university course that I enjoyed because I couldn't leave the house. But I don't know how it would affect my claim for benefit if my doctor doesn't agree with me.

Sorry for rambling, but I'm having a bad day. I do appreciate your advice and I don't mean to moan, I just want to know whether I should be applying for benefit at all. I am on anti-depressants and I was recieving fixed-length councilling which has now stopped.

cifpower

I suffer from depression, sometimes have suicidal thoughts and have panic/anxiety attacks when I go into an area with a lot of people on my own. My doctor gives me a sick note every 4 weeks and I am seeing a counsellor. My doctor also referred me to a Community Psychriatric Nurse. Maybe your doctor could do the same? I was on anti-depressants (Dosulepin) and sleeping tablets (Zimovane) but now I just take the former.

I am currently in receipt of IB and low-rate mobility DLA due to the panic attacks. I have yet to be called for the IB medical.

Spirited_2

Just to add, I'm not sure how you work out if you have paid enough NI contributions to qualify - I have only worked eight months, and it was part time - though I did pay NI. But does being married make any difference?