Am I exempt from work?

Rainbowlight

This is a bit of a difficult thing how to go about this as I've tried using google but obviously had no luck with my problem.

I'm on JSA shortly after leaving college for about 3 months now and frankly it's getting too much.

Signing on is fine the people that do it are generally lovely towards me, it's my adviser he is just so arrogant towards me.

Each time I've gone he's done nothing but threaten and harass me with potential sanctions if I don't kneel down and beg mercy, I'd love to say I'm exaggerating but I dont see how in some ways he's just that annoying, I do more than the minimum jobsearch activity each week every single day.

I feel like I'm being "bullied" into work just to meet the targets he's been set, I'd like to discuss going on training courses and such but he never gives me time to discuss things, he just picks at random jobs that are too far out for me seeing as I have to rely on public transport and the costs would be worse off than I am on JSA already, he even saved a job on universal jobmatch that was over a month old expecting me to apply for it, honestly most the jobs on there are So outdated I've seen some listed far back as august of 2012.

My problem is I feel like I suffer from depression from when I was younger and when I self harmed which I don't do haven't done it in 3 years, I just know my depression is related to that, anytime i am in a bad situation I feel terrible emotionally and my adviser is making it worse, I've already stated to a few close friends and family that I have considered hanging myself because of the pressure I'm under from him and the more he puts on, a person has their limits.

Also I don't believe I'm fit to work safely, I have a real bad habit of staring into space, I have memory lapses where I can forget what I was told to do barely a minute ago.
For example this morning I was asked to take the rubbish into the bins while I was washing the dishes and making breakfast when I finished the dishes and made breakfast I just sat down to have the coffee I'd made and had to be reminded to take the rubbish out and it was barely a minute before I was told.

It's hardly safe for me to really work isn't it? I'm not in a mentally fit enough state to do it not yet atleast, with my staring into space issue and memory lapses it's hardly safe for me to work isn't it? I don't want to suddenly stare into space if I'm say helping someone lift heavy things that would just cause them harm if I suddenly dropped the item.

Is there some way I can still have money coming in but by making me exempt from working anywhere?
It'd be till I can gain a clear head and when I'd be pretty safe to work around others.

Tiglath

Assuming this is a genuine post, go see your doctor.

withabix

You can't claim JSA if you don't want a job.

suki1964

See a doctor

Torry_Quine

If this is your real situation then a visit to your GP is needed.

Hmm71

OP have you ever been diagnosed with petit mal? Your staring and mental absence episodes sound similar to petit mal. You should see your doctor.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000696.htm

skibadee

If this is genuine you need to see a GP asap.

I have suffered with Depression/Anxiety and panic attacks for years, with the right medication and support it is possible to hold down a job.....I do.

Of course I appreciate these conditions effect everyone differently, but hopefully you should with the medication etc., be at least able to work part-time.

If you are having serious suicidal thoughts I strongly advice you to seek medical help straight away!!

miduck

Hmm71 wrote: »

OP have you ever been diagnosed with petit mal? Your staring and mental absence episodes sound similar to petit mal. You should see your doctor.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000696.htm

Equally it could just be "forgetful man syndrome" - I know several that have exactly the same symptoms!

As with the others OP, you need to see your doctor. However, do keep in mind with mild to moderate depression work can be a very positive thing. Sitting at home and languishing will only make you worse.

rozmister

Rainbowlight wrote: »

My problem is I feel like I suffer from depression from when I was younger and when I self harmed which I don't do haven't done it in 3 years, I just know my depression is related to that, anytime i am in a bad situation I feel terrible emotionally and my adviser is making it worse, I've already stated to a few close friends and family that I have considered hanging myself because of the pressure I'm under from him and the more he puts on, a person has their limits.

Also I don't believe I'm fit to work safely, I have a real bad habit of staring into space, I have memory lapses where I can forget what I was told to do barely a minute ago.
For example this morning I was asked to take the rubbish into the bins while I was washing the dishes and making breakfast when I finished the dishes and made breakfast I just sat down to have the coffee I'd made and had to be reminded to take the rubbish out and it was barely a minute before I was told.

It's hardly safe for me to really work isn't it? I'm not in a mentally fit enough state to do it not yet atleast, with my staring into space issue and memory lapses it's hardly safe for me to work isn't it? I don't want to suddenly stare into space if I'm say helping someone lift heavy things that would just cause them harm if I suddenly dropped the item.

Is there some way I can still have money coming in but by making me exempt from working anywhere?
It'd be till I can gain a clear head and when I'd be pretty safe to work around others.

If you've truly considered hanging yourself, I don't mean as a fleeting idea but as a serious option to resolve your current problems you need to see your GP and tell them this IMMEDIATELY. Even if it was a fleeting thought the fact you feel depressed means you should still seek help from your GP.

You can work with mental health issues provided you have the right support and/or medication. I used to have depression with tendencies to self harm and attempt suicide but carried on working at the time (the minimum amount possible) and put my hours up when I felt ready. I found having a small job actually helped my recovery - it boosted my confidence and helped to get me out of the house. I didn't have to claim benefits at the time though because I was in a different financial position so I'm not sure how this would fit in with the benefit claiming criteria.

Also you are prone to spacing out and are worried you'll drop something heavy? Have you dropped something heavy before? Would you be capable of doing an office based job if you sat down and made notes as people spoke to you? I only ask because while you may exempt from certain manual labour jobs because you space out you may not be exempt from office based jobs?

heartbreak_star

Please see your doctor. Soon.

HBS x

dodger1

Rainbowlight wrote: »

Also I don't believe I'm fit to work safely, I have a real bad habit of staring into space, I have memory lapses where I can forget what I was told to do barely a minute ago.
For example this morning I was asked to take the rubbish into the bins while I was washing the dishes and making breakfast when I finished the dishes and made breakfast I just sat down to have the coffee I'd made and had to be reminded to take the rubbish out and it was barely a minute before I was told.

Can't speak for the rest of your post but this paragraph is pretty standard for many "normal" people (at least I hope so ). I walk into the kitchen and completely forget what I was going to do there, I want to look something up online but by the time the PC has connected my mind has wandered and I've forgotten what I was going to look up. Don't take this as sarcasm, it really isn't that unusual.