How does an ATOS consultation diagnose

ragdoll24

How does an ATOS consultation diagnose depression/anxiety, as its not something you can show them like a physical illness.

I was just wondering what they do during the assessment and if any of you that are on ESA because of depression/anxiety have had an ATOS appt yet?

ragdoll24

Thank you for your kind reply Stourie Fit, I must admit I was expecting someone to knock me for being off work because of depression. May I ask if this is what you suffer from?

bloolagoon

Stourie_Fit wrote: »

They ask you a load of questions, most of which are geared toward people with physical illnesses. It kind of ridiculous, really.

The best advice I can offer is:
a) don't go on your own, as this will be used against you;
b) be *very* clear that your symptoms have a significant affect on your ability to function;
c) always describe your symptoms as they are on your worst day, otherwise they will assess you as you are on your best day;
d) prepare yourself for the possibility that they'll give you 0 points and stop your ESA, requiring you to either collect medical evidence and appeal or go onto JSA.

I'll see if I still have my letter from when my ESA was stopped. I think it listed the areas you're graded on.

I apologise for the complete pessimism of this post, but Atos unfortunately warrants it.

It is very bad advice to describe your worst day!

Most of my clients are refused for just this reason. It's easy to see through lies and most people are not good liars and get caught out.

You say, on a good day I can do this, on a bad day I can do this. I have approximate 3 good days and 4 bad days.

It's only about how the descriptors fit you, anything else just muddies the water.

What descriptor(s) fit you and then ensure you put that message accross.

ragdoll24

bloolagoon thank you for your input.

Thankfully I have no reason to lie and am quite happy to describe how I feel everyday and how this effects me. I was just curious to know how they assess depression and anxiety.

I have the full back up of my doctor and my mental health worker.

Does everyone go through the medical with ATOS before being placed into the two groups or has anyone just been placed into one of the groups on their own Dr/mental health workers evidence?

epitome

Look here for the criteria
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=esa214

Top result pdf file, open it and you will see the criteria at the back

ragdoll24

Stourie Fit - I was told by CAB, my Dr and my mental health worker to describe my worst days then to say what you are like on your better days. Its very important to describe the worst days or your giving a false description for anyone to fully evaluate you on.
Thank you once again Stourie Fit :-)

bloolagoon

Of course it's important to explain your bad days, just not make out its 24/7. I've assisted people who wanted to write I am housebound and never go out. I point out that they do, what if they were observed, what if their GP says they visit the surgery. All it takes is one simple slip up like that and your whole claim is naturally discredited.

jacques_chirac

GPs can make a diagnosis of depression in ten minutes by talking to the patient about how they are feeling and how those feelings affect their day to day living. The same applies to an ATOS assessment, except the emphasis will be on what you can and cannot do, and your ability to deal with change and other people.

ragdoll24

Bloolagoon that makes very good sense.

I will be so glad when I get over all this and Im fit enough to get back to work, never been on benefits in my life and I hate it. But got to look on the possitive side and Im desperately hoping I will get through this and be back to good health by next year (touch wood).

ragdoll24

Thank you Jacques Chirac that's very good advise. I did read through the policy someone above kindly gave me the link to but it more refers to people with a physical disability. Dealing with and discussing depression/anxiety is very different, although I doubt I will get through 5mins of the consultation without blubbing. The first thing my Dr gets out is the tissues when I walk into the room, bless her. Thank you all, was nice to have honest possitive replies as some people are really nasty on this site and tell people to go get a job without having a clue on the circumstances and conditions.

bloolagoon

ragdoll24 wrote: »

Bloolagoon that makes very good sense.

I will be so glad when I get over all this and Im fit enough to get back to work, never been on benefits in my life and I hate it. But got to look on the possitive side and Im desperately hoping I will get through this and be back to good health by next year (touch wood).

I've never been through the process but find that more so recently they are very understanding of MH and issues faced. The times they fail is down to poorly completed forms, withholding evidence, forms that describe total irrelevance to them as not what they are judged on. A growing number of 1st time, short claims are being passed without medical.