ESA Medical Assessment - Anxiety Disorder Questions

Muttleythefrog

amus wrote: »

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

The LiMA user guide was even available on a disability website courtesy of ATOS around a month ago.. unfortunately it seems to have been moved or deleted since.
ETA: The file has returned. http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/?ACT=39&fid=3&aid=179_YGvh8oqzQoiEpJqKjbyE&board_id=1
(This is the guide for the software used by the HCP in the medical examination for those unaware).


For DLA the DWP manual for DMs along with their A-Z list of medical conditions probably gives people comprehensive details of how to fill out the form to get an award... the latter effectively tells people what care/mobility considerations are relevant to their illness and the former how to write them down to meet the benefit criteria... leaving a door open for widespread reverse engineering and direction on how they'll go about getting relevant evidence. Makes me wonder what life was like before the days of the internet... I suppose I should remember..lol

pudding06

I think perhaps we have got side tracked. It is so true, that as someone who battles with depression and anxiety every day, we spend our time with others trying to conceal our feelings, otherwise we are labelled as *nutters*., I know I do, even with my doctors!!
I had a severe breakdown about 5 yrs ago. I have had depression since childhood, and at various times it has been easier to cope with, ie less severe, and at other times, such as in the last 6-7 years the absolute pits. I see my consultant psychiatrist every 2-3 months and have just received my new form to fill in re my incapacity benefit.. I know I will never be able to cease medication, something which my consultant discussed with me last appt. I spend the week leading up to my appointment, talking myself through where I can park, which route to take, where the entrance is, what the doctor looks like, where I have to sit etc, or else I find it impossible to actually attend, and this is with my normal consultant. You cant imagine what its like trying to explain that you got there, but couldnt get out of the car!
Other medicals ( eg incapacity ones) are a nightmare, in fact my first one, the doctor was so concerned he went to get my OH to comfort me. Thing is they have their ob to do, and it takes time. But that doesn't make it any easier.

I for one am grateful for any info those who have been to medicals give, as its so scary for me. I dont think any poster has suggested we try to deceive the doctor, just has suggested that we dont hide our feelings/ symptoms like we do every day, even with family (they worry the most!) Long ago my gp once said to me, "everytime you come to see me I ask how you are and you automatically say "I'm fine", then I have to try to get you to tell me whats wrong" ( i had septicaemia twice!!!) Now I try to tell the doctor whats up, but often come out wishing I had asked about other things.

cit_k

amus wrote: »

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

Its available from the DWP, in fact, if I recall, its on the DWP's own website.

As is, the full list of medical conditions, and symptoms etc that the DWP recognise etc.

cit_k

amus wrote: »

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

What is really stupid, is the medical reports basically tell a fraudster how to behave in the next medical, if they want to aim to score higher.

But thats how stupid atos lima is, and how stupid atos and the dwp are.

Actually, Im not sure if that is the most stupid thing, perhaps the most stupid thing, is what they actually look for, which looks like it was programmed into the software by someone who knew nothing other than daily mail type stereotypes about mental illness.

sunflower_2

am annoyed:o

i have suffered from depression and stress/anxiety for almost 12 years.

whilst i have had the odd month or two off work over these years - i have been able to work in the same stressful job.

my absence due to "disability" is approx 15-20% (of course i have the odd tummy bug on top of this)

i would no doubt be better off claiming benefits. but I CAN WORK most of the time???

these assessments are surely there to see if others can do the same???

why play up your illness? if you can work why on earth would you not want to work? it helps my depression & anxiety no end when i can get to work.

my employer knows of my illness especially my paranoia and doesnt put me in vulnerable situations. i suppose all employers have to do this under the DDA?

Muttleythefrog

cit_k wrote: »

What is really stupid, is the medical reports basically tell a fraudster how to behave in the next medical, if they want to aim to score higher.

But thats how stupid atos lima is, and how stupid atos and the dwp are.

Actually, Im not sure if that is the most stupid thing, perhaps the most stupid thing, is what they actually look for, which looks like it was programmed into the software by someone who knew nothing other than daily mail type stereotypes about mental illness.

lol... I wonder what'll happen if I present my ATOS medical report at the next ATOS medical and say 'I agree with this report... now shall we save ourselves the charade?'

pudding06

I suppose there are many different levels of depression and anxiety, I too was able to work in the past, now not at all. I suffer from anxiety after being attacked at work, not for the first time, but certainly the most serious. I find it very difficult to do normal things, picking up the phone, answering the door, talking to people. I think that is a problem. If I can have a job, working form home, where I dont have to venture outside, or answer the phone, then I may be your woman. So long as you dont need something doing asap, for the days I wake up and cant function at all, and I dont have to remember anything for any length of time, which may be the meds I have to take to control the suicidal thoughts. But no-one has to justify myself to anyone on here about their ability to work or otherwise, just the doctor doing the medical which no doubt will come.

nannytone_2

there is no doubt that the whole ESA system is a mess. It seems that it is all about personal opinion and not medical facts.
It makes no sense to me that the person that gives you the assessment, isn't the person that makes the decision.
If the person that makes the report isn't familiar with the claimants condition, how can they possibly make an accurate report?

On the flip side though....
Mental health issues ( depressionand anxiety especially) have become the new 'bad back'. Difficult to prove conclusively and judged mainly on the word of the patient.
Both of my kids work for the DWP and my daughter had someone present her with a sick note, saying they were coming off JSA and claiming ESA.
the reason for the sick note? 'low mood'

if someone only has 1 leg, then it is obvious what the persons problem is.
people who don't want to work and see the extra money someone on ESA gets, they are looking for a condition that can be fasified, as long as they know what to say and how to act!

i'm not saying for one second that anyone who has posted here has done that, but while other people do it, it makes life much harder for the genuine sufferers.

kezzygirl

it makes me chuckle the amount of people i see who say 'well,i failed my medical for esa,can you write me a letter to say this is what we are doing' etc. so they have 'proof' that they have mental illness,simple answer is 'no,i cant write a letter'.they dont like this response much though

Muttleythefrog

GEMGIRL67 wrote: »

I have just heard that I have failed my ESA medical and got zero points. That is despite telling the Polish Dr who assessed me, that I suffer from depression, panic attacks, dont like change at all. I also suffer from arthritis in my neck and lower back, which has effected muscle weakness in my left arm and leg, which the Dr admitted she could feel the weakness compared to the right hand side of my body. I told her I can not stand for long and I got zero points for this.
The reason I had to finish work 10 years ago, was because I was in constant pain all day while sitting at the computer for hours and I had a nervous breakdown. I have been having counselling for 18 months due to issues I have over how I feel about myself and am being referred for psychotherapy, and am waiting to be referred to the muscular skeletal unit at the hospital. I am in pain everyday which makes me so tired and I have to sleep a lot in the afternoon, there is no way I can cope with being made to work in a huge office environment again and I still have recurring nightmares to this day that I am being forced back to work to my previous job. Oh and another thing, my GP only mentioned my depression in their report and nothing about the arthritis and the mri scans I had, and the consultant I was under at a spinal hospital.

Despite this, I still got zero points. Also because I worked hard for years, and live with my parents who have been fantastic, I have savings over the limit of £16,000 so wont be able to claim a penny of JSA. I have also read, that if I do appeal and win my case, I wont get all the amount of ESA due to being over the limit on my savings.

There was a program a few weeks ago on BBC1 Wales regarding all this. One lady who had a stroke and was now in a wheelchair and found it hard to speak was told her ESA had been stopped and that she could work in a call centre.

I dont know what this country is coming to. If you worked hard for years and saved you are penalised.

It may well be worth you appealing. I would seek advice though... from CAB or welfare rights if you can... especially in light of the fact your situation has savings consideration.

Many do overturn a decision where they were given 0 points.. especially if they get supporting medical evidence.