ESA Medical - Mental Health

UKTigerlily

Hi there,

I've just today got my date for my first ESA medical . . it will be on 1st July. I've never had a medical before and what I am wondering is that as it's a mental health problem, I look totally normal. But also, I have good and bad days. If a bad day then it's fine as they will clearly see what is wrong, but if a good day then what? I don't want to & won't fake being bad just to tick boxes, if a good day then I want to enjoy having a good day and be myself but I don't understand how to get across how it is on a bad day, if i'm ok that day?!

Sorry, that may not make sense.

I used to have my CPN go to see the Psychiatrist with me, as when asked how I am i'd say i'm fine. It's hard to remember how it is, when i'm ok at that moment. The other worry is that I either can't say what I need to, as I can't think what it's like (I may make notes each day to explain, if allowed), or that I get triggered by talking about so many personal things and leave in a bad way

So, for anyone who knows, how do these things work? If a good day, surely if I go in all happy and say all is fine they'll take my word for it, yet the next day, or even that afternoon might not be

Can I just be myself and will they understand how it is?

dekaspace

Its all about the advisor more than anything but in my experience they go by best days though they might claim otherwise.

At my last ESA medical (have another next week) they mentioned I came clean shaven, not scruffy and didn't seem nervous when I spoke when in reality I have autism and mental health problems and was freaking out and my heart was racing, the problem with the system is you are generally screwed either way if you know your rights and fight for them but claim to have mental health problems or learning difficulties they act like "hold on they can't be that bad if you can fight back" and if you go in nervous and don't stand up for themselves they will judge you based on not knowing the full information.

At mine I was told despte not leaving the house for 2 weeks, and sleeping as much as 20 hours a day, massive weight gain etc, leaving the house once every two weeks meant I didn't need outside help, ordering even a takeaway online and/or using a microwave was seen as being able to cook, not washing for days then doing so meant I could take care of myself.

You get the picture really.

I had 0 points at mine and only 14 I think on reassessment because their reasoning was like above if I stutter all the time around people I can at least speak sometimes, if I can do something despite my heart feeling like it will explode it means I can do something.

Only at tribunal did I not only win but almost got support group level because I was able to have welfare rights and social work there to back me up and could make myself clear.

NYM

Keep a diary/notes about how cope on a daily basis so that if you are fortunate to feel well on the day of your appointment you can show that it is not how you feel all the time.

Good luck x

System

My advice is let them see you how you are. So if your MH issues mean you dont shower, you dont get dressed properly let them see that. be honest. Even if its brutally honesty. The least one i had they asked if id self harmed recently, i had, the night before and ended up showing the assessor what id done. Its hard to answer the questions you get asked but the more honest you are the better, I had 3 assessments for MH and all 3 they put me in the support group.

dekaspace

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

My advice is let them see you how you are. So if your MH issues mean you dont shower, you dont get dressed properly let them see that. be honest. Even if its brutally honesty. The least one i had they asked if id self harmed recently, i had, the night before and ended up showing the assessor what id done. Its hard to answer the questions you get asked but the more honest you are the better, I had 3 assessments for MH and all 3 they put me in the support group.

I actually agree there since with me they took the fact I came in with fresh clothes shaven and showered as taking care of myself.

Despite me saying my mental health meant I can't leave the house unless I do so (so if I am too tired to shower I won't leave the house, but not leaving the house means my mental health gets worse but they don't take that into account)

Sorry OP just babbling a bit, its part of my personal MH/disability issues.

UKTigerlily

Thanks all, I will take it all on board. It's tough isn't it because I don't want to even try to put on any act, I am how I am on the day. But then going in happy as hell & bouncing off the walls that I have a good day will be bad, seeing as how right now i've relapsed again. I have started a diary and my Consultants statement should arrive tomorrow. Good luck, dekaspace, for yours!

Alice_Holt

This is a useful guide to the tribunal process:
http://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/how-win-pip-appeal

Although it's about PIP, the ESa Tribunal process is virtually the same. Sections 7,8, & 9 should be helpful.

Some more info here:
http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-appeals


Good Luck.