Signing on - bipolar

carolannie

Hello. I need some advice please.
I have bipolar. I was claiming ESA, got found fit for work. Took advice from mental health specialist and appealed.
Failed the tribunal.
I can either, re claim ESA
Or sign on.
I am really not well enough to work. I have outburst of anger (got 0 points)
Suicidal thoughts and severe depression and anxiety.
All backed up by medical evidence, but ATOS and DWP don't think I am ill.

What I'm asking is, what support will I get from the job centre?
I burst into tears when I have to talk about my illness and the thoughts that go round in my head.
I am on anti psychotic medication and anti depressants, but they have to keep being changed, as my moods change every day (rapid cycling)

So is there help for me to find a suitable job? I just don't know where to start.

I do know, if I could get a part time job, my self esteem would be so much better, as I would be contributing to society and I wouldn't feel like a no body any more.

I have been ill for so long, I have no recent work experience or confidence and need all the help I can get.

Thanks for any help

SarEl

Ask to be referred to a specialist disability advisor. They will be more adept at dealing with your special needs.

And to be fair ATOS/DWP have not said that they don't think you are ill - they have said that they don't think that your illness prevents you from working, and you yourself seem to agree with that assessment, because you say that you think working would help you.

carolannie

Thank you for the reply.
The problem with me, is my mind and moods change all the time. One day, I am on top of the world and want to get stuck in. The other I can't get out of bed and have no energy.
I am trying to be positive, or else I will go into a deep depression again.
I will have to give job hunting a try.
I don't want to be on the scrap heap.

I disagree with their decision actually. don't thnk I am well enough to work yet and I should have at least been put into the work group, but there you go. I obviously didn't know how to "appear" mentally ill to them.

Other people I know, pass with flying colours, because they refuse to admit they can do anything and know how to fill the forms in.

Thank you for that. I didn't know they had a disability advisor. I will get on the phone on Monday and see what help I can get.

SarEl

You might also ask the local Council for Voluntary Service what mental health organisations are in your area - you might find some of these have employment advisors and training. It would do you the world of good to get out for a bit and learn to cope in the outside world. Even people who have no mental health problems can find it hard to be motivated to get out of bed in a morning! Or have you thought of trying some voluntary work? Do yourself and someone else a bit of good? It may not always be plain sailing, but I bet you will find that starting something is a lot harder than keeping at it!

carolannie

Being honest, I can't clean my house most days. It's a tip.
My life is a tip. But I need to get control of my life and not live on benefits forever.

I just need lots of help to cope.

janty1

Try and contact welfare rights or similar group and ask them to review your DWP form and go with you to an appeal, do re-apply. Contact the Shaw Trust and MIND as they can help with job/volunteer placements.

carolannie

janty1 wrote: »

Try and contact welfare rights or similar group and ask them to review your DWP form and go with you to an appeal, do re-apply. Contact the Shaw Trust and MIND as they can help with job/volunteer placements.

Mind will let me help out.
The Shaw trust were useless with me. I saw this woman 6 times, but didn't get much help at all. She was more bothered about losing her job and used to moan about that, as if she was worse off that me.

As I won't be on ESA, I don't know if I can get help from them anyway.

SarEl

carolannie wrote: »

Mind will let me help out.
The Shaw trust were useless with me. I saw this woman 6 times, but didn't get much help at all. She was more bothered about losing her job and used to moan about that, as if she was worse off that me.

As I won't be on ESA, I don't know if I can get help from them anyway.

Now you are letting yourself get down again! Stop it! No doubt it isn't easy to be helping someone if your own job is at risk. It isn't a competition - after all, you are better off than some orphan in Africa! This is an opportunity for you. See it as one. Instead of what you can't do and all the bad days you have, start with what you can do, what you'd like to learn, and the good days. You must have missed out on so much in the past, but that doesn't mean that you have to carry on missing out on it. You're nice and literate for a start. That's good. So how about your computer skills - are they as good, because a lot of people pick up theirs from work. Maybe you could try a short course? Can you get out of the house - an excellent way of avoiding housework I find (not everybody who can't be bothered to do it has a problem - other than dust!). Why not set yourself a target? I will walk around the park at 10 am every morning, no matter how I feel. It sets a routine and it's amazing what cheerful things you can always find in your local park - and early flower, a nice view... Count up what you have instead of what you don't have. You may have a mental health problem, but you have sight, hearing, legs...there's always someone worse off than you. Think about what you would miss if you were worse.

I know it isn't that easy, but it is one day at a time, and that's the way you have to handle it. Just think how proud of yourself you would be if you could get yourself into that part-time job. And from there, who knows what you might do?

carolannie

Thank you again. I will try and keep a lid of my emotions.
it's make or break and I want to have a better life.
I won't get in on benefits will I. It's no way to live

dandelionclock30

Mind where I live has a service to help people with mental health issues with work, volunteering and education.They have quite a lot of success. Can they offer you some support with looking for something as well as helping out?

carolannie

Thank you all again