DLA with OCD?

caela_2

bestpud wrote: »

What did you do with your DLA award before?

Did you have a carer then?

My DLA award previously was £17 per week, so no I couldn't afford a carer. Before that, I used it as financial support because my OCD meant I spent and still spend a lot of money. To be honest, I don't think you understand the situation and this is what I come up against a lot. I have a serious and chronic sleep disorder which has ruined my life to a large extent- I got poorer grades at school as my disorder worsened and then failed university twice. It's not fair because I used to get A's, it's just because I can't get up and when I do stick to a normal routine it literally sends me crazy because I am not getting any sleep. I used to hear voices when I was younger when the sleep disorder really got bad because I never got to sleep. It's not because I use a laptop in bed, don't set an alarm, don't have a bath and read a book to relax, don't try to keep a normal pattern, don't get up on time for a week and find I'm cured, etc. etc. and all the other ignorant things people have said to me- it's because I CANNOT keep a normal sleep pattern. It may well be non 24 hour sleep syndrome or whatever it is or it could be because of my OCD, I know a lot of people have this problem. It's explaining to people like you, no offence, this same thing all the time which means I don't get any help because they simply cannot understand that just because they and every other normal person can get to sleep on time and wake up on time doesn't mean I can and whatever method they use to maintain this normal sleep pattern will not work for me because it's not the same. People really do assume those with MH problems are working on exactly the same mechanics as every sane person- well we're not- it doesn't have to make sense to you that because you can get up in the morning by setting an alarm I can't- just accept it's different and that since it's been going on for over 14 years and it's done significant damage to my life that every little thing you are about to or have suggested I have tried a thousand times in the past because I haven't just woken up (excuse the pun) with this today and I'm not stupid. The worse thing is I used to keep believing people that I could make this better and it just make you believe it's your fault until you really can accept that you have a sleep disorder and no-one may understand that. It's quite isolating. Sorry for the rant but someone needs to say it because to be honest, I've been quiet about this for too long- not just with you but everyone who says the same stupid thing to me without thinking. No offence, I know you're just trying to figure it out but the fact is you don't believe me or you'd just accept it.

caela_2

And to all the people who can't get their head around me asking for help it took me ten years to go back to ask for help so yeah, think about that. So next time you're wondering what it would feel like to wind your car around a tree and how your boyfriend would feel when you never come home tell me you wouldn't try anything to stop that from happening. It took me months and even years to make that appointment and the help I need is not CBT or any other vague therapy that has failed for me so many times in the past (despite seeing a variety of private and NHS therapists and two hospital stays and some ten years of therapy) so it doesn't work and what might work is being able to stay in control of my independence by having some temporary help which would be far more practical. Anyone understand that? One of the other things worsening my depression at the moment is the fact that I've been fighting this DLA thing for over a year now and will be going to tribunal in 4 months to be belittled by a range of medical 'experts' whose sole purpose is stopping me from getting DLA to save money and trying to trick me into saying things I do not mean (as they did last time, even though I won). That whole thing is making me really angry and I've started self-harming again and I know it'll get worse and I know I'll flip out in front of that panel when I do have to see them and I have no idea what will happen from there. Either I'll go back in the crazy bin or get arrested or maybe I won't say a thing and I'll get no help and then what. I have no idea what to do but all the time it's frustrating me that whilst I'm suffering I could be getting help if it weren't for people always assuming the worst of me. I'm desperate to sort my life out at the moment cos you know what it's really been sucking and I lay in bed all the time unable to do one simple thing and wish that someone actually cared enough to give me a hand- maybe the GP could do their job, or who knows, the DWP could give it a try or I dunno, but I am the only one trying to stay on by the skin of my teeth at the moment and doing everything I can (including talking to my GP even though I knew it would turn out like this) because at least I'm trying.

ILW

Why does OCD stop one working?

bestpud

ILW wrote: »

Why does OCD stop one working?

It doesn't - the OP works.

OP - if you really cannot get up in the morning, then why try?

If you work in the evening and can conduct your day from pm onwards, then why do otherwise?

I haven't always been able to get up in the morning. You know nothing about my illness - in fact you are making wild assumptions.

You dont want to believe that people can and do recover from serious mental health problems, but they do! You can argue all you like and try and say I can't have had such problems, but fact is, I did, and would have spoken as you are now at times.

Mental illness is not your fault, but I refuse to accept people with mental illneses are helpless. You can improve your life.

You've been refusing help abd stressing over benefits for many years - maybe it's time you tried something else?

sunnyone

Is this sleep disorder diagnosed and what treatment has the NHS offered you OP?

Muttleythefrog

caela wrote: »

And to all the people ... because at least I'm trying.

Try to not stress too much about the tribunal... it'll no doubt make self harming more likely. And people will misunderstand your conditions, life etc... unfortunately it is something it is worth just stepping back from and accepting many are in same boat... misunderstood, criticised and battling to get what is legal entitlement in a system that is badly designed.

Muttleythefrog

ILW wrote: »

Why does OCD stop one working?

Would depend on how it affects the sufferer as to what effects it would have on working potential. OCD is very generic. But in this case the op works.

ILW

Sorry, missed the bit about working.
Surely DLA is to cover additional living costs caused by a disability, I cannot see what these are in this case.

Muttleythefrog

ILW wrote: »

Sorry, missed the bit about working.
Surely DLA is to cover additional living costs caused by a disability, I cannot see what these are in this case.

At a quick guess there will be care requirements surrounding sleep patterns and needing someone to watch over her to prevent harm to self.

bestpud

ILW wrote: »

Sorry, missed the bit about working.
Surely DLA is to cover additional living costs caused by a disability, I cannot see what these are in this case.

The OP wants enough to cover a carer, but was only awarded a low rate last time, and that was after a tribunal.