dont know what i can claim

nikkita_2

thanks wombat,i did try for dla initially but was turned down..filling in the form just made my anxiety worse so i didnt appeal..im happy 2 say i have beaten my panic disorder but im sure ur post will help loads of people.

Fran

nikkita wrote:

thanks wombat,i did try for dla initially but was turned down..filling in the form just made my anxiety worse so i didnt appeal..im happy 2 say i have beaten my panic disorder but im sure ur post will help loads of people.

Nikkita,

If you do decide to appeal, you can get help from Citizens Advice Bureau advisor and many bureaux have advisors that can go with you to appeal. You've done the hardest bit by filling in the form in the first place!

Curry_Queen

I've only just read this thread but I echo what others have said about contacting CAB for further advice. I'm not sure why you're paying any CT as usually it is paid in full if you're getting IS, even if it's reduced by the maintenance you receive for your child (as in my case and I still get full CT benifit).

You should also be able to get low rate mobility DLA because of your agoraphobia and you may also be entitled to one of the care rates for your depression depending on how debilitated you are through it. DLA is a nightmare of a benefit to claim for though, particularly when it's for mental health illnesses, and very often you are turned down initially and have to appeal. The Barton Hill Advice Service is an excellent source of information for people with disabilities and MH problems and gives a step by step guide in how to fill out your DLA forms.

When I made my first claim for DLA around 4 years ago I was turned down but was too ill at the time to go through the appeal process. My CPN prompted me to claim again 18 months ago and following the advice set out in that website I filled in the forms (took me 6 weeks to complete them due to the stress and anxiety of filling them in) and they awarded me the DLA straight away.

The problem with depression, as you well know, is that you have good and bad days and it's likely you'll only feel up to filling in the forms on a good day and will often overlook the severity of the illness and miss out vital details of how it affects you. What you need to do is to tell them how it is for you on your worst days ... i.e. can't get out of bed ... don't wash or dress for several days ... can't be bothered to eat etc ... and the most important part is that you need help to do any of these things. Whether you actually get any help or not is irrelevant but you must show that you need the help to qualify and how long for each day/night. That's why filling out the forms is such a nightmare and can often trigger anxiety/depression just by doing it. Organisations such as MIND will often have volunteers to help you with it so don't be afraid to ask.

Nikkita ... I'm so pleased to hear that you've gotten through the worst of your illness and are doing so much better, it gives me some hope that one day I might get there too

I've suffered depression (bipolar) and agoraphobia on and off most of my life but the last few years have been the worst, probably triggered by my separation and losing my home, and I've been hospitalised several times due to it. Unfortunately I no longer receive any support due to lack of NHS resources and don't have any family/friends to help out either, so the future looks rather bleak to say the least. It's over a year since I've ventured more than a few yards from my home to the local shop, and I haven't been able to go out at all since before xmas, so my only communication with people is via the internet.

I really hate living like this but with no help I can't see what other options I have and it really hurts when people accuse you of being a benefit scrounger as there's nothing I'd love more than to be able to get back out there to work and live a normal life again

Wombat

Nikkita - well done on beating your illness. Some people can get over anxiety problems, but for a lot it's a lifetime struggle.

Just as an addition to my post, if anyone is turned down for DLA after the first application, it's not necessary at that stage to go to a tribunal. It's merely a case of writing back to the DSS and explaining why you disagree with their decision and why you think you qualify for the benefit. Citizens' Advice centres can help with drafting a letter, or some local Mental Health Services like Mind have relevant information on file and may be able to help with form filling etc.

Curry Queen - I'm so sorry you seem to have been left without help in your situation. There are things that can be done to help with anxiety/agoraphobia from medications such as anti-depressants and SSRIs to therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, breathing and relaxation exercises, meditation etc. Your doctor should be able to advise you on the best way to go and refer you to a trained psychologist or mental health worker to help you.

I've suffered with anxiety attacks and agoraphobia for over 28 years and the best thing I ever did was to go on to an SSRI (Citalopram), undertake Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and learn breathing and relaxation techniques. They're not always a cure, but they've helped me live a far more normal life since "discovering" them.

I would again recommend the alt.support.anxiety-panic.moderated newsgroup. They're a very helpful group.

Good luck. PM me if you want any further info.

Curry_Queen

Thanks for your reply Wombat

I spent several years in the "MH system" so I'm aware of the options available (and also know how useless they can be!!!) and have tried countless drugs, including Citalopram, most of which either didn't work or exacerbated other conditions, so by choice I've been totally drug-free for the last 6 months or so. I've also had CBT, CAT and psychotherapy at various times throughout the years and whilst being very useful, as you say, they don't actually "cure" the problem. I guess only I can do that but it's rather difficult without any help or support, so it's a bit of a catch 22 situation

Raindrops_on_Roses

I found the site with 'The Learning Path' on it. This is the one single site that I would ever recommend. Not just for depressed people, most sensible down-to-earth site I have come across that's informative and doesn't have any ramblings, opinionated blethers or 'advice' from people who think they are the last word on depression.

I hope it helps everyone who reads this post as much as it helped me.

https://www.clinical-depression.co.uk

Rainy