ESA Medical Assessment - Anxiety Disorder Questions

amus

lulugirl wrote: »

Wow thanks so much for posting that, I have my medical very soon for mental health including anxiety. I am a wreck every day thinking about it. Did they give deatils & the relevence to you for every descriptor? Would you mind inboxing me more. Just thinking the more prepared I am the better I will cope

Sounds like the question you are really asking is 'how do I pass the medical assessment?'

amus

Muttley you are encouraging someone to commit fraud by behaving in a way they may not normally behave to pass a medical exam?

shackalak

I had my medical mid October and have been placed in the Work Related group. I've been off work now for 12 months due to anxiety.

I was really worked up about the assessment, especially as it was in the town where I work and one of my problems is that I work in the town centre and can't even walk past my office due to my anxiety. It's like 'mission impossible' trying to get through the town without bumping into one of my customers or someone I work with as I really can't cope with them asking how i've been and wanting to know all the gossip about what happened (been the victim of a serial conman and it's been pretty nasty for all my family to say the least!). I've still got to cope with the case hitting the press, possibly Crimewatch and then a trial so i'm still in a pretty bad place at the moment.

I went to the assessment on the train (I do drive but was so worked up I didn't think it was safe to drive that day). I only had to walk down one street from the station to the assessment centre but I had to stop three times on the way and hide round corners because I thought I saw someone i knew. I sat on the wall outside the assessment centre but off the main road composing myself before I went in but just burst into tears as soon as I walked through the door and didn't stop until half an hour after the assessment ended.

As for appearance. I had made an effort and had smart jeans and a nice top on but explained that I am normally in a business suit with heels on and hair and nails done but at present i'm in need of a good hair cut and my nails are bitten right down and my confidence has been knocked to pieces.

The assessment lady hadn't read my form before I went in and she asked me what was the reason for my anxiety. I told her that I had written everything down on the form and I would rather her read it than upset me even more by going through it again. I just sat there in tears while she read it. I didn't even take my coat off.

The questions she asked me were -
1. What time do you go to bed and what time do you get up?

I explained that I generally go to bed around 11ish and up with the kids at 7am but if I need to do grocery shopping, I do it in the middle of the night and in a different town because there is less chance of bumping into someone I know. I'm also up in the night because my middle child is diabetic and I constantly worry about him having a hypo during the night - even though he's usually absolutely fine.

2. When do you get washed and dressed?

I explained that I sort the kids out and get them off to school before seeing to myself. My eldest two have gone to school/college on their own for a while but my youngest is 9 and still at primary school. She goes on her own now, I can't face the school playground because everyone seems to be talking about me (probably not but it feels like that!)

3. What do you watch on tv?

I told her I can't be bothered with the tv. It is on for the family but I very rarely sit and watch a full programme because I can't concentrate.

4. What do you do in a typical day?

I told her I usually go and spend time with my parents (my mum recently had a stroke and my dad's just been diagnosed with cancer) or sit with the mountains of paperwork created by the fraud I have been subject to trying to work it all out in my head. I carry a little book round with me and write down everything I have to do every day to make sure i do everything i'm supposed to. She had a quick look at the book

5. Do you do any hobbies?

I told her I used to like going to the gym and swimming but I can't afford the membership now. I also tried knitting but I couldn't concentrate long enough to follow the pattern so gave up. My doctor suggested I try and write the book about the fraud and conman as a way of offloading the stress but it's still to raw at present and I can't concentrate on that either.

I also had a letter from the courts/police explaining about the fraud case and a copy of a non-molestation order I had to take out against the conman and she took photocopies of these for my files.

My employers are keeping my job open for me to return to when I'm better but i've now got to go for my first DWP return to work interview next week - that should be fun. I've no idea what to expect.

When the assessment finished, I asked if I could spend a few minutes sat in the waiting area to compose myself because I was in a right state. The lady was lovely and got me a drink of water and some tissues. It was about half an hour before I felt ok to leave and i've got to say, the staff in the office were lovely. I felt like such a fool getting into such a state.

I've no idea how many points I scored or in which category but I did have the decision through within a fortnight. I hope this helps you with some of the questions you may get. Hope everything goes ok for you.

Muttleythefrog

amus wrote: »

Muttley you are encouraging someone to commit fraud by behaving in a way they may not normally behave to pass a medical exam?

Absolutely not. I'm encouraging people not to hide their symptoms of illness. Unfortunately those who carry out the medicals will typically have such limited knowledge of mental illness that well planned attempts to conceal typical symptoms will do neither party any good.

amus

Welcome! Fraud, Discussion and Benefits.
Hi,

Welcome to the Benefits and Tax Credits board!

You will find plenty of people willing to give links and contacts or advice based on personal experience.

Just one thing as it would be good to have this as a friendly board, if you have a complaint about a poster (including Boardguides) or about a particular thread or post, please report this to [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL] . This would include aggressive, personal and judgemental posts and ones that suggest or encourage fraud or illegal ways to obtain benefits.


Im guessing this would include giving people tips and clues about how to pass a medical exam.

amus

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

Absolutely not. I'm encouraging people not to hide their symptoms of illness.

Well in that case you should say that, if they are genuine and you tell them not to hide their symptoms, you would not have to tell them exactly what those symptoms are.

Muttleythefrog

amus wrote: »

Well in that case you should say that, if they are genuine and you tell them not to hide their symptoms, you would not have to tell them exactly what those symptoms are.

You've lost me. The typical symptoms are publicly known... I read about them all in the guidance for HCPs before I had my medical.

amus

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

You've lost me. The typical symptoms are publicly known... I read about them all in the guidance for HCPs before I had my medical.

Where is this guidance? HCP's specifically in relation to the WCA?

Muttleythefrog

amus wrote: »

Where is this guidance? HCP's specifically in relation to the WCA?

Can't find it now but the WCA handbook is probably even better. (CptScarlet refers to it above regarding the advice for the activity raised in the op).

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wca-handbook.pdf

Type in anxiety and do a word search.. after about 10 entries or so you get this section.

The Mental State Examination findings would be expected to reflect severe anxiety or communication problems. Rapport is likely to be poor with lack of eye contact. The claimant may be sweating and finding the consultation difficult. They may be somewhat timid in demeanour at interview. It would seem likely the person would require a companion to attend at the MEC due to the level of anxiety/communication restriction that this descriptor would normally be expected to reflect.

There's even a section on Interview Technique (Pg 41)

amus

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

Can't find it now but the WCA handbook is probably even better.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wca-handbook.pdf

Type in anxiety and do a word search.. after about 10 entries or so you get this section.

It surprises me they have made that public. Still I maintain your post was a nudge towards telling the poster how to behave.