Depression

Claire_MUFC

Is there anyone else on here with depression, who prefers taking meds and seeing their doctor for help ?

I phoned to claim Universal Credit, but the advisor said she thinks it would be best if I claimed ESA for a but, until my depression is a bit improved. She said Universal credit is lots stricter than JSA ever was

With my depression, i've been back on my meds nearly 5 weeks now. Have had problems with gambling due to feeling unhappy and have some debt, but that makes me further unhappy. Impacts on my sleeping, lying awake worrying, go to bed at 12 and usually fall asleep around 4 or 5 am, so then wake up iritable due to lack of sleep. And binge eating means I am overweight, biscuits, crips that kind of thing

Only thing is to claim ESA, a fit note is required so I was going to tell ny doctor the above issues, but worried I will have to attend counselling and cbt which i don't want as not great speaking to people in person about how I feel

Not wanting to claim ESA long term, just for a bit until depression is under control more

But do you have to attend counselling, to get a fit note off a doctor as I am just on meds

jenniewb

You may get more results if you ask on the benefits board (am not 100% but am pretty sure there is one on here otherwise you could try Mind who will know more) but I was wondering if you have been referred at all for therapy or treatment or a psych. assessment because they should be able to hook you up with a person who can help with letters and things which may take some of the stress out of it.
You shouldn't be going on any benefit above another because it's easier, you should be given one benefit or another because you are in the correct category or tick the right boxes for it. Shame on the lady who told you otherwise!

k3lvc

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Is there anyone else on here with depression, who prefers taking meds and seeing their doctor for help ?

I phoned to claim Universal Credit, but the advisor said she thinks it would be best if I claimed ESA for a but, until my depression is a bit improved. She said Universal credit is lots stricter than JSA ever was

With my depression, i've been back on my meds nearly 5 weeks now. Have had problems with gambling due to feeling unhappy and have some debt, but that makes me further unhappy. Impacts on my sleeping, lying awake worrying, go to bed at 12 and usually fall asleep around 4 or 5 am, so then wake up iritable due to lack of sleep. And binge eating means I am overweight, biscuits, crips that kind of thing

Only thing is to claim ESA, a fit note is required so I was going to tell ny doctor the above issues, but worried I will have to attend counselling and cbt which i don't want as not great speaking to people in person about how I feel

Not wanting to claim ESA long term, just for a bit until depression is under control more

But do you have to attend counselling, to get a fit note off a doctor as I am just on meds

OK - I'll bite to this

I've suffered from depression for some time - however bad I feel my key motivation is 'how can I make myself better ?' - that may be via medication, CBT, common sense, etc etc

At no point have I ever thought 'maybe I should ignore the advice of professionals in order to extract more money in benefits' - especially if I were subsequently likely to !!!! it up the wall due to a gambling habit.

Claire_MUFC

At what point did I say I was told to claim ESA because it was easier, or that I was ignoring the advice of professionals ?...

I wasn't told to claim ESA because it was easier, the job centre advisor said she doesn't think Universal Credit is the right benefit for me at the moment. She said if I am having a bad day depression wise and miss an appt benefit will be stopped. She just thinks it would be better I claimed ESA until my depression is more improved

Believe me, I actually want a job but don't think I could hold one down at the moment

Not seeing counsellors or anyone atm, would find it hard to sit with a stranger and tell them how I am feeling. Find it hard enough to tell my own family how I am feeling

DD265

Counselling can actually be easier than you would think. It helps that the person is a total stranger and not at all judgmental because lets face it, if you told your family that you felt alone or whatever, with the best will in the world they're going to be hurt by it! I wasn't sure about my counselor in the first couple of sessions but actually I came to get on with her really well.

I've suffered from depression twice. The first time, I was able to snap myself out of it in an instant when I realised what was at stake if I didn't pull myself together. The second time, I couldn't do that and as well as medication, I had EMDR which helped me to move on from some of my past experiences which were dragging me down.

Everybody is different and you need to find what works for you. The place I had my counselling at also did phone sessions so it doesn't necessarily have to be face to face. Have a chat with your doctor and see what they recommend.

heartbreak_star

Claire_MUFC wrote: »

Not seeing counsellors or anyone atm, would find it hard to sit with a stranger and tell them how I am feeling. Find it hard enough to tell my own family how I am feeling

It's easier to talk to a stranger as they are totally unconnected to your situation.

HBS x

ERICS_MUM

I felt like that before I had counselling but once I was there my fears diminished, didn't go altogether. My counsellor started by asking questions which I could say Yes or No to. Funnily enough after a few of these It wasn't enough, I WANTED to say more and gradually I could answer in full sentences ! I cannot tell you how pleased with myself I was. If your counsellor is good they will be skilled getting you to talk eventually. If you don't "click" with them, try another one.

Good luck - I know from personal long-term experience just how debilitating depression can be.

EM. Xx

Claire_MUFC

Thank you for the responses, out of interest, if I did try counselling, how often do you attend. Is it just like once a week ?

What would you recommend benefits wise ? Job centre saying ESA would be better for me at the moment, but then I just feel embarassed having depression. I do wabt a job but depression is awful at the moment

C_Mababejive

May i recommend a brilliant book?

Brilliant CBT By Doctor Stephen briars

It is well written,almost humorous and helps you identify thought patters which are the precursors for bouts of anxiety and its bedfellow,depression..

DD265

I went once per week for about 10 weeks. By that point we'd addressed the biggest issues and I had the tools to carry on with the therapy by myself.

I was in fact surprised by how quickly we put the biggest issue to rest! It probably only took 15-20 minutes. It's still there but it's something I have to consciously think about (rather than it popping up) and I now feel like an emotionally detached observer when I do think about it. EMDR might not be right for you but as I also had PTSD it helped me a lot.

They base everything on the individual though and I had a couple of discussions about what would suit me best over the phone before we started.

ERICS_MUM

Yes I had counselling once a week which was enough for me - any more frequently would have made me feel stressed !