Atos Medical - Depression

considerphlebas

I have my Atos medical for ESA tomorrow and I'm going out of my mind with worry. Has anyone ever passed with just depression and anxiety? Seems like the answer is no.

DomRavioli

Do you fit the descriptors for either the support group or the work related group?

It doesn't go off a diagnosis, only your ability to fill those criteria.

A quick google will demonstrate what they are.

considerphlebas

I fit the descriptors but have seen a lot written by people who've been through the test, and former Atos employees, who refer to dirty tactics by the assessors, such as denying the occurrence of panic attacks because they don't see one on the day.

DomRavioli

considerphlebas wrote: »

I fit the descriptors but have seen a lot written by people who've been through the test, and former Atos employees, who refer to dirty tactics by the assessors, such as denying the occurrence of panic attacks because they don't see one on the day.

Then why are you worrying? if you can demonstrate with both medical evidence and an interview that you fit the descriptors, then you don't have a thing to worry about.

considerphlebas

I'm worried because even my GP has expressed distrust of ATOS and I can't afford the letter he'd write to support my claim (£90). Also, former nurses and doctors who have worked for ATOS and performed the WCA have made it clear that ATOS work to targets and will not hesitate to declare people fit for work when they're knocking on death's door - answers to questions are ignored and physical appearance for the brief period of the examination takes precedent for their decision (well, you don't LOOK suicidal and panic stricken at the moment, sooo...). And lastly, the appeals system has also been changed, so now the appeal brings with it a period of precisely zero money. Not sure how I'll even survive without a penny to my name for the weeks/months it takes for the appeal to go through.

I have a diagnosis of severe depression, medication to prove it and three or four times a day I have a debilitating panic attack. If they take my word for the questions I'd pass with points to spare, but since a vast amount of people have had to go through the appeal system to get a fair decision, it seems fair to assume I'm up s-creek without a paddle.

vision2009

Have a look here regarding regulations 29 and 35, can you apply them to your case?
http://dwpexamination.org/forum/useful-templates/help-with-getting-your-gp-to-use-regs-29-35-exceptional-circumstances/#p127436
Take someone with you as a witness and for support if you can.

dibdabable

DomRavioli wrote: »

Then why are you worrying? if you can demonstrate with both medical evidence and an interview that you fit the descriptors, then you don't have a thing to worry about.

Why is he/she worrying? What a question, in the light of everything that has happened with Atos. Just because he/she knows he fits the descriptors and may have/have not medical evidence supporting the claim,it does not follow that there's nothing to worry about.
The very fact the OP suffers from a mental health issue will usually predicate anxiety about anything where the person needs to concentrate and think clearly, one thing most people with mental health conditions are less likely to be able to do.

OP whilst getting anxious about this won't help, it's natural you should be concerned by what you've read and heard. All I can suggest is that you need to focus much more on how your condition affects your ability to function. If for the majority of the time you can't perform an action say for 4/5 days out of 7, then it should be taken that you can't perform the action. You must demonstarte this don't presume that because they know your condition they will therefore understand how it affects you.

Good luck for tomorrow, I won't say don't worry becuase you will, instead try and use that energy to be prepared.

duchy

£90 for a letter supporting a claim for benefit ?
It isn't only ATOS who need to put their house in order.
Frankly I'd change my doctor-That is a disgrace.

considerphlebas

I'm embarrassed to admit that I can't understand if they can be applied to my case or not, my mind is so knotted at the moment I can barely think. Is it something your doctor does to support your claim? Sorry for the idiocy. And thanks very much, really appreciate it.

considerphlebas

Thanks very much, dibdabable, that's good advice. Trying to stay calm about it.

tomtontom

duchy wrote: »

£90 for a letter supporting a claim for benefit ?
It isn't only ATOS who need to put their house in order.
Frankly I'd change my doctor-That is a disgrace.

Compare to the cost of a detailed report from a solicitor, or an audit from your accountant, and that £90 will seem like a bargain. I appreciate that does not help the OP, but in this instance the GP is offering a private service, and his time does not come cheaply.