ESA, Anxiety, Depression & medical assessment

Nicky321

Posted this on the end of another thread, but thought it may be better being posted as a new individual thread.

My son has suffered from anxiety & depression on and off for the last 2 years. During his high school years his mood would swing from high to low, and his temper was nasty. He left school and went to college, finished his college course and started university. It was only when he started university that he was also diagnosed with severe dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dyslexia and scotopic sensitivity syndrome. His anxiety & depression has caused his study to be disrupted and he has been under several medical people for counselling, crisis teams, medication etc. In October of last year he was in a car accident and this too has had an impact on his anxiety & depression, he is on edge all the time, jumping and shouting out when a passenger in the car.

Some days he can be life and soul of the party one minute, violent or crying uncontrollably the next. He has had suicidal thoughts and is awaiting his medication to be changed. He has been on ESA for approximately 6 weeks and the doctor wanted to give him a sick note for 8 weeks on his last visit, but my son doesn't want to be seen as someone who lives on state benefits because he doesnt want to work. The fact is he is unable to work because of his mental illness and specific learning difficulties makes things hard.

He received an ESA50 which I filled in for him due to his condition.

Today he has received a letter to attend a work capability assessment.

I think he is worrying about this assessment now. Is there anything I can do, let him know what to expect, in order to lessen his anxiety about this?

Thanks in advance.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

Welfare Rights. Get as knowledgeable as possible. You need also to assess knowledge sources ie DWP led or independent.
Medical Support, maybe the thing is winning Appeal/s and having to do the bloody forms again?