PIP-ANXIETY, PANIC ATTACKS, Dysphagia, incontieance

dcems

I applied for PIP but got nil points. I have put in for a reconsideration. Sent in a lot of medical evidence already but maybe i didnt explain how it affects me properly.
Can anyone point me in the right direction or should i just be more thorough and honest about my daily life?
In addition to anxiety which has ruined my life, i am incontinent of bladder and bowels and also suffer from vertigo-waiting for physiotherapy.
Would appreciate non judgemental advice please.
T y.

Alter_ego

Sometimes judgemental advice can help. ie tells you how others view you. Why limit answers?
By the way I have no advice for you other than accept advice from all sides.

tomtontom

What care and mobility needs do you have? With incontinence an adult is expected to be able to self care (unless there are reasons you cannot). Have you looked at coping mechanisms for your anxiety?

rogerblack

tomtontom wrote: »

What care and mobility needs do you have? With incontinence an adult is expected to be able to self care (unless there are reasons you cannot). Have you looked at coping mechanisms for your anxiety?

If you do not understand, or are more likely willfully misunderstanding - please do not comment.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_sick_or_disabled_people_and_carers_ew/benefits_personal_independence_payment_e/benefits_the_pip_assessment_e/pip_activities_descriptors_and_points.htm


If you need any aid (pants, nappies, map of toilets, ...) you are entitled to two points.
If you need assistance - which may include help cleaning up, or help explaining your condition rather than simply running off after an accident occurs, 6 points may be appropriate.

Anxiety may seperately gain points under 'communicating verbally', 'engaging with people face to face' 'planning and following journies', 'moving around'.

As a more general point - a PIP descriptor applies if on half of the days it applies to you most of the time. If you take more than twice the time of a healthy person, cannot do it properly, as often as needed, safely - you can't do it.

If your toilet needs - even if you can manage them - take twice as long as a normal person, you may meet this criteria.
Or if anxiety/... causes you to take twice the time to communicate with people, or not to be able to do it reliably.

If, for example, being asked to follow a familiar route takes over twice the time because of having to psych yourself up to do it, or panic attacks along the route, or you can't do it reliably - even if there is no issue at all of safety - you may qualify for high rate mobility.

GlasweJen

Do you see a continence nurse? They are usually good at helping to get information across to other professionals/DWP. If you don't see one then ask your GP to refer you (you can always write a note and hand it in at their reception as long as they're aware of your problems)

How do you manage your dysphagia? Is it a special diet or physio to aid swallowing or do you PEG feed? Again are you under any specialists for it? Do they have a treatment plan for you and is it dysphagia alone or did it happen because of another condition?

Finally anxiety, how bad are you? Can you get out alone or are you always accompanied? Do you use the phone? What happens when you have a panic attack? Can you get help/get yourself to a safe place or is it pure panic until someone else removes you from the situation?

Diary

dcems wrote: »

I applied for PIP but got nil points. I have put in for a reconsideration. Sent in a lot of medical evidence already but maybe i didnt explain how it affects me properly.
Can anyone point me in the right direction or should i just be more thorough and honest about my daily life?
In addition to anxiety which has ruined my life, i am incontinent of bladder and bowels and also suffer from vertigo-waiting for physiotherapy.
Would appreciate non judgemental advice please.
T y.

As I read your post it appears you have already applied for the Mandatory reconsideration. You will have plenty of time to 'compose' your rebuttal before you go to tribunal if you don't get the points you want. If you had an assessment the first thing to do is get a copy of your assessors report. You can then see what was written about you.

DWP may try and contact you by phone while your MR is in progress, if you don't want to be contacted by phone write and tell them - keeping a copy. If they do phone stick to your guns and don't let them talk you out of the MR.

rogerblack

Diary wrote: »

DWP may try and contact you by phone while your MR is in progress, if you don't want to be contacted by phone write and tell them - keeping a copy. If they do phone stick to your guns and don't let them talk you out of the MR.

This is of course true.
However.
During the course of this call, they may also offer an award of PIP, if you decide to withdraw the appeal.
You should carefully consider - up front - the implications of all possible results of various offers, and the likelyhood of various awards.

For example - standard rate PIP care would enable someone to claim carers allowance on your behalf.

Having a - possibly stressful - phone call - may be lots less stressful than waiting another 6 months to attend a tribunal in person only to have no guarantee of any award at the end of it.
I note that you can - if you accept this offer in the call - still appeal this decision in the normal way later.

dcems

Sorry for late reply. I had surgery on monday and struggling.
I use incontieance pads. Ive had cbt and other therapy for anxiety-max of 8 sessions with mind.
Im waiting for cbt for my swallowing.
Ive been taken to hospital due to panic attacks so they can be bad.it feels like im going to die. Its hard to explain but its overwhelming. Its changed me as a person.
My meds are doping me up so sorry for spelling mistakes.

GlasweJen

So is the continence and swallowing problems all side effects of a mental illness?

dcems

No just the swallowing.
I was not seen for an assessment for pip.
I cant eat proper solids due to choking so ive lost about 3 stone in weight.

dcems

I never had any issues with swallowing until i had anxiety.
My gp said its anxiety and quite common. Im waiting for cbt for my swallowing.
Ive had double incontiance for 2 years. But been had urinary since 1998.ive just learned to live with it but under a nurse and had physio, cameras down there etc.

Its hard to come down from a panic attack. I find it hard to socialise with friends or meet new people.
My last major panic attack resulted in me being taken to hospital.
Im really unhappy as i wish i didnt have it . I keep thinking i will die.