Worried sick: mental health, ESA, change in circs

wordsfan

Hi

I'm a single mum with a mental health condition. I currently receive ESA and Dla (lower rate care and mobility).

My psychologist said recently that he'll be letting me go soon. It's not that I am completely well. I am still on medication and will have the condition for the rest of my life. I have good days but I still have pretty bad ones too.

I know that I will have to report the change in circs but I am worried that payments may be suspended, that there will be major pressure to go back to work (less than 6 months after initial breakdown I went back to work but almost made myself v I'll again)

My psychologist is not letting me go because I am 'cured' but I think partly I'm as well as I'm going to get, partly funding issues.

Has anyone else been in this position? If so what happened and what advice do u give?

Thanks in advance

DomRavioli

Hi OP,

Stopping seeing a health professional isn't a change in circumstances, and isn't notifiable to ESA or DLA.

A change in circumstances is a new or different diagnosis, a change in care or mobility needs, a change of address, or someone moving into or out of the household.

Don't stress over this - you don't need to.

wordsfan

Thanks for reply. How do u know this?

DomRavioli

I've had mental health issues for 20 years; I unfortunately know a lot about ESA.

Also, changes that need to be reported are those which may affect your entitlement to benefit, such as treatment, cure, changes in address, those living with you or no longer living with you, diagnosis etc. Stopping seeing your psychologist isn't a reason in itself - if you have progressed somewhat from your original state, then you may need a re-assessment (re-assessments are on hold currently though so god knows when that will be); I would speak to your psychologist (do you have a CPN, social worker etc?) and ask their advice as to whether you still fit the diagnosis - if you do, then I don't see it as relevant, and will be picked up at the next assessment.

Indie_Kid

A diagnosis isn't a change in circumstance.

There won't be any pressure to go back to work. Many of us on DLA and ESA have been discharged, because like you, we're incurable. But we still have the conditions which affect our ability to work / cause care and /or mobility needs.

help4help2013

the above is correct.

being discharged from the community mental health team is not a change in circumstances and you do not have to notify the DWP of this

if you condition get better or worse then you have to notify them but if you feel you still need the support of the CMHT then you can always ask your DR to refer you back or you can make a self referral yourself

wordsfan

It has been a strange 9 days since my psychologist said I'd soon no longer be seeing him. On the day I felt good, like I've done well. My behaviours have reduced but the thoughts and anxiety have not changed. Only 2 weeks ago did I start using my own bathroom without disinfecting myself immediately after. But other thoughts, behaviours, anxieties still exist.

Eg on Sunday my bathroom sink accidentally was filled to overflowing affecting my neighbour downstairs. This has been hugely anxiety inducing as I mainly have germ phobias relating to use of loos. And by extension bathrooms with loos in them. Unfortunately the same happened again thu. The practical problem has now been resolved but I know from past experience if I were employed this past week I'd have had to take the week off just to cope without having another breakdown.

Although the worst of my behaviours have been dealt with using cbt etc I still have low to med anxiety responses. Its hard to explain but those who've had mental health issues will understand I hope.

wordsfan

DomRavioli my outward signs are of improvement (but it still very much is a cases of 'fake it till you make it', the thoughts and anxiety are still very present) the difficulty is in quantifying an abstract such is mental health diagnoses. Every thought that would normally lead to a behaviour still enters my mind.

I don't have a cpn or social worker. I've made an appt to discuss with dr on mon. My mum feels the psychologist has not met my needs fully. I like him and I don't think there is any more he can do. I still (clearly) have trouble sleeping, I'm already on highest dose of anti depressants that work for me. Most days I cope. But if anything out of the ordinary happens it totally throws me.

wordsfan

I don't feel able to assess my condition myself. Ie I think I'm doing well but my mum, sis and friends will still say 'but you still do x and y stresses you out and if z happens the whole week/month is put window' the other thing is that how I am fluctuates. I can have a very good day immediately followed by a terrible day.

Sorry I'm being a negative nightmare today. As is clear from my posts I have OCD. I've always had it, I always will.

Thank you all for taking the time to read my nonsense and advise me and for those of you also dealing with mental health problems I wish you peace of mind and better future health.

septemberblues

Aww bless you, hope you can get a referral to a physciatrist as I think it is easier to get a CPN, Social Worker etc through them, at least this is my experience.


I also hope you can get help with your insomnia, I used to have this and this alone can send you crazy and depressed. The medication I am on gives me a 10 hour sleep (at least) whereas I was an insomniac too.


I wish you all the best x