In ESA Support Group,having to attend ANOTHER medical

fogartyblue.

lynndy36 wrote: »

Thankyou,
I know Im like most people and just want to be left alone and to be not made to feel like some scammer and piece of dirt.
I understand why they have the medicals,I just dont think 'the powers that be' understand how difficult and self degrading they are.
I just don't want to go back to feeling suicide and self harm is the only way out. Maybe it wont be as bad as Im thinking.Fingers crossed!!!

Hi, IB would have been the benefit for you not ESA!!!
With IB you would have had little chance of repeat re-assessments. You would have been happy on that benefit as they tended to leave people alone so that they could get better at their own pace - some have taken decades to improve.

Unfortunately as you have pointed out, that system wasn't at all fair on those who are working and paying for those benefits out of their wages.

So they brought out ESA. The only difference over the old IB system is that they are now carrying out regular re-assessments to ensure that those that do improve, move forwards towards getting back into the work place.
It certainly isn't helpful to be left alone on benefits. It becomes a way of life for some which does not aid recovery.

So see an ESA re-assessment as another point in your life to try to succeed in. You may be totally surprised to find that you have improved that much that you may be able to consider going back to work. Maybe you just need a little nudge in that direction.
See it as a positive step, a chance to show and demonstrate how much improved you are.

Good luck and try to think of the positive aspects of everything!

fogartyblue.

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

There's absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the process of claiming and getting appropriate awards of DLA and ESA have been the biggest barrier to me focussing on what I should focus on... and in all probability have made me significantly worse in terms of health... and therefore much more likely to be dependent on the very same benefits.

But surely, instead of focusing on how ill or disabled you still are in order to claim these benefits is a backward, negative way of thinking?

Shouldn't you be looking towards goals of achievment, steps that mean you can identify and measure an improvement?
Why do you see that being negative (I can't do this, this is difficult etc) is the way forward?

Surely the ultimate goal is to be as free as is possible from State interferance and have something that you are planning for your ultimate future?

Muttleythefrog

fogartyblue. wrote: »

But surely, instead of focusing on how ill or disabled you still are in order to claim these benefits is a backward, negative way of thinking?

Shouldn't you be looking towards goals of achievment, steps that mean you can identify and measure an improvement?
Why do you see that being negative (I can't do this, this is difficult etc) is the way forward?

Surely the ultimate goal is to be as free as is possible from State interferance and have something that you are planning for your ultimate future?

Getting the benefits is an end in itself...with OCPD and OCD relating to order (including excessive planning) and the like then getting benefits resolved is a priority.. unfortunately it is never actually achieved because of their nature... which means even when things go well in relation to them they remain a barrier. Of course it is negative thinking..lol.... I'm ill... that's what I do. Regarding goals, achievements... I don't really think I have any... and any I would try to identify will probably be contradictory with other ones I could identify in the same day... that's why I was rejected for psychological therapies.

Anubis_2

fogartyblue. wrote: »

But surely, instead of focusing on how ill or disabled you still are in order to claim these benefits is a backward, negative way of thinking?

Shouldn't you be looking towards goals of achievment, steps that mean you can identify and measure an improvement?
Why do you see that being negative (I can't do this, this is difficult etc) is the way forward?

Surely the ultimate goal is to be as free as is possible from State interferance and have something that you are planning for your ultimate future?

It really isn't that easy when MI is at play. Rational thinking like you have just doesn't exist and everything is over analysed to the point of self destruction rather than self preservation.

fogartyblue.

Anubis wrote: »

It really isn't that easy when MI is at play. Rational thinking like you have just doesn't exist and everything is over analysed to the point of self destruction rather than self preservation.

Is it not?

I have been under the care of the CMHT for the past 17 years. I have been through all of the treatment therapies and drugs you could imagine possible including time spent under section. I am still under their care on a weekly basis with my Psychologist, and monthly reviews with my psychiatrist. I also have the daily support as needed of both my CPN and a social worker.

At the moment I have been working with a fantastic psychologist who has made me see that I have always looked for the negatives. A whole new world has been opened, which is making me see everything from a positive viewpoint.
We have talked about the three minds which is fascinating.

Now if I can do this, only made possible because I had to trust someone, anyone can.
I see benefits as a hinderance to my recovery, a reminder of the past. Being short of money has no worries, I will survive.

One thing I have learned is that there is always a positive when you see a negative.

17 years of being assessed as 'mentally ill' now seems a waste of 17 years.
One bit of advice, be prepared to accept the impossible. It's not as impossible as you imagine it is!

Muttleythefrog

fogartyblue. wrote: »

Is it not?

I have been under the care of the CMHT for the past 17 years. I have been through all of the treatment therapies and drugs you could imagine possible including time spent under section. I am still under their care on a weekly basis with my Psychologist, and monthly reviews with my psychiatrist. I also have the daily support as needed of both my CPN and a social worker.

At the moment I have been working with a fantastic psychologist who has made me see that I have always looked for the negatives. A whole new world has been opened, which is making me see everything from a positive viewpoint.
We have talked about the three minds which is fascinating.

Now if I can do this, only made possible because I had to trust someone, anyone can.
I see benefits as a hinderance to my recovery, a reminder of the past. Being short of money has no worries, I will survive.

One thing I have learned is that there is always a positive when you see a negative.

17 years of being assessed as 'mentally ill' now seems a waste of 17 years.
One bit of advice, be prepared to accept the impossible. It's not as impossible as you imagine it is!

Think you have to accept that people are different... which is why treatments tried on you, that have worked for others, failed. You're getting what sounds like good help from a good psychologist... I've never met a good psychologist..lol... and I won't be getting one since I suspect that unlike you I can't imagine goals or ambitions that have fundamental meaning to me. Thinking positively is something I can do very easily... I can see positives in almost everything... if I watch a video of people being murdered I can at least imagine they're now not suffering... if I think about how I'm single and have never had a relationship I can think 'well at least it makes my life simpler and less demanding'... I'm 37.. yes.. I can think that's much better than 87..lol. But I get no pleasure from any of this... and I probably never will.... that's reality.. that's the prognosis. Everyone with MH problems requiring income from the state could think 'if I don;t qualify for this benefit then so what... on the positive side... I will be alright.. I'll survive'... but when the baillifs knock on the door or mortgage lender says enough is enough then the fairytale delusion has a habit of harbouring a worse reality. People come here for advice on getting their entitlements and I think we'd be making a mistake telling them they shouldn't worry about getting them. In the case of the Op they seem to be making progress and hopefully this re-assessment won't knock them backwards.

Anubis_2

fogartyblue. wrote: »

Is it not?

I have been under the care of the CMHT for the past 17 years. I have been through all of the treatment therapies and drugs you could imagine possible including time spent under section. I am still under their care on a weekly basis with my Psychologist, and monthly reviews with my psychiatrist. I also have the daily support as needed of both my CPN and a social worker.

At the moment I have been working with a fantastic psychologist who has made me see that I have always looked for the negatives. A whole new world has been opened, which is making me see everything from a positive viewpoint.
We have talked about the three minds which is fascinating.

Now if I can do this, only made possible because I had to trust someone, anyone can.
I see benefits as a hinderance to my recovery, a reminder of the past. Being short of money has no worries, I will survive.

One thing I have learned is that there is always a positive when you see a negative.

17 years of being assessed as 'mentally ill' now seems a waste of 17 years.
One bit of advice, be prepared to accept the impossible. It's not as impossible as you imagine it is!

Everyone is different and it depends what MI you suffer with. There is also different depths which affect people greatly. You situation can be entirely different than the OPs, and as you say, it took you 17 years, it takes people time, so you must respect that.

lynndy36

Thankyou for all the input guys.
Its the medical tomorrow and Im trying hard to keep it together. I have chosen to not worry or think about it until tomorrow morning,each time it comes into my head I do my best to push it back.
Does anyone know if I'll but put into the WRAG or onto JS? I have to say I think job seekers will kill me. But its not in my hands.

epitome

If it's JSA just appeal it and stay on ESA whilst you appeal.

Good luck

clemmatis

Good luck tomorrow