DLA with OCD?

caela_2

Hiya guys,

I was hoping I might get some help on here. Basically, I applied for DLA for mental health problems, including OCD, PTSD and depression and also mentioned my chronic knee and back problems which limit my mobility.

My claim was initially unsuccessful, despite being as thorough as possible when filling it out and now I am awaiting a tribunal. This whole thing has taken nearly two years I think it must be now.

Anyway, I went to see my GP today (for the first time about my MH problems really, cos I have given up with them tbh) and told her I'm really struggling and mentioned the DLA thing and she basically said I was absolutely fine (without asking me too many questions) and this really was an assumption. I have lived with OCD for my whole life and am constantly infuriated by GP's snidely asking me why I think I have it, despite being diagnosed with it over ten years ago and after two hospital stays which are on their records if they ever bother looking. She said I wouldn't be entitled to DLA, although I wonder how she knows this without knowing anything about me (she admitted she would have to look at my notes) and said I was fine. She went on to say she doubts I am depressed, even though I went in saying I'd had enough of life and was thinking of driving my car into a wall. Anyway, she'll be having a look at my notes for the first time and seeing me again in two weeks.

It really made me think though, what do people class as a disability and are people just largely deluded when it comes to mental health? I have a severe sleep disorder which no-one has ever seemed to understand (apart from a couple of friends I know who have it) and it's so annoying trying to explain to people that I simply cannot keep to conventional times. They all say the same thing... just set an alarm :mad: Does my head in.

So, does anyone have experience of claiming with OCD and genuinely, what are people's opinions on this kind of thing. I will try to stay calm :cool: lol even though I can get quite heated if I think someone is being ignorant. I think it's time I heard the other side of the story.

wottonby

Have you ever been sectioned? That may be a start into proving a mental incapacity.

caela_2

wottonby wrote: »

Have you ever been sectioned? That may be a start into proving a mental incapacity.

lol I wouldn't want to try it!

bestpud

I've been sectioned in the past - doesn't say anything about my mental health now!

How have you managed without any help for this long, OP?

Do you have a partner?

Darlyd

OP I hear you about the MH thing. My old gp surgery where I used to live, fully understood me, Was always there for me every step of the way with my MH, I was diagnosed with BP2, OCD amongst other things back in 2001/02. I too went for DLA was declined 2 or 3 times, Then awarded middle and lower indefinitely! I also work part time too. You just need to find a good GP, Perhaps change GP surgery if you need too? OR find a private psychologist? I used my dla money for my treatment every month. Now I don't need to see one (I moved over 300 miles anyway), but I use it to get about, plus other things. really does come in handy.

Keep trying though, don't give up. Mental health is a silent illness just like diabetes etc BUT you really do need to be bad before your awarded it. And you need a lot of proof such as letter from gp, psyc etc etc.

caela_2

bestpud wrote: »

I've been sectioned in the past - doesn't say anything about my mental health now!

How have you managed without any help for this long, OP?

Do you have a partner?

Heya,

Yeah I live with my bf, he kinda helps lots in some ways, none in others lol.

caela_2

darlyd wrote: »

OP I hear you about the MH thing. My old gp surgery where I used to live, fully understood me, Was always there for me every step of the way with my MH, I was diagnosed with BP2, OCD amongst other things back in 2001/02. I too went for DLA was declined 2 or 3 times, Then awarded middle and lower indefinitely! I also work part time too. You just need to find a good GP, Perhaps change GP surgery if you need too? OR find a private psychologist? I used my dla money for my treatment every month. Now I don't need to see one (I moved over 300 miles anyway), but I use it to get about, plus other things. really does come in handy.

Keep trying though, don't give up. Mental health is a silent illness just like diabetes etc BUT you really do need to be bad before your awarded it. And you need a lot of proof such as letter from gp, psyc etc etc.

I know it's so hard trying to tell some people what you're going thru, they just don't want to listen. It's a popularity contest a lot of the time, I find, like how much they get along with you and how modest you are a lot of the time means they are more likely to want to help you and try to convince you there is something wrong, but other way round when you are telling them you're desperate and something is very wrong and you're mentally ill they don't want to hear it, like you're telling them how to do their job or something!

Well done on your award. Can I ask what kind of difficulties you have, it's hard filling in the forms to fit their language aimed at physical problems! Would be interesting to see how other people handle it.

Darlyd

I will pm you

[Deleted User]

OP you seem to be concentrating on the conditions you have,if you applied for dla on that basis then im not surprised it failed,dla is all about care and or mobility issues

caela_2

woodbine wrote: »

OP you seem to be concentrating on the conditions you have,if you applied for dla on that basis then im not surprised it failed,dla is all about care and or mobility issues

Hiya,

I filled out the form differently, specifically addressing the difficulties I experience as a result of any disabilities. They still turned me down.

dianadoesnt

woodbine wrote: »

OP you seem to be concentrating on the conditions you have,if you applied for dla on that basis then im not surprised it failed,dla is all about care and or mobility issues

I think what Woodbine is saying is that DLA is less about what your diagnosis is, and more about the care and/or mobility needs you may have due to your problems. If you reasonably require care because of your illness's then you should qualify (but lots of deserving people still get turned down, unfortunately)

I would say also that it can be quite hard (but not necessarily impossible) to get DLA these days without the support of a 'professional' e.g CPN, GP, psychiatrist etc.

Do you have any professionals involved in your care?
Diana