Mums Net PIP Assessor's thoughts

densol_2

FBaby wrote: »

Maybe because I worked for years with people suffering from MH problems severe enough to require 24 hour care. I have therefore learned there are suffers who are seriously disabled by MH, who couldn't possibly work despite a desperation to do some having no choice but to give up a rewarding career, and those who see fit to use MH as a ticket to easy income.

So you are very wrong to assume that I hate people suffering from MH illnesses. Those suffering from debilitating schizophrenia, severe depression, unmanageable bipolar disorders all have my full support and benefits should be available to them whilst being medically supported to learn to cope with their illness. I do have an issue (not hate though) with the growing number of those suffering from selective anxiety, depression and the rest, ie. those who are fine to carry on with the fun things in life, but are somehow much too ill to get on with the things we don't like to do, but have to because it's life. As said in the OP though, symptoms, presentation, and impact of these illnesses are all very subjective, it is very difficult to distinguish between the genuine and those who play it up when you only have a few minutes to get to know them.

Jeez no wonder mental health services are in an appalling state if they employed people like you ! Glad im lucky enough to pay privately for my counselling! I wonder how many lives you ruined ??

Londonsu

Bogalot wrote: »

In summary:

* Submit evidence.

* Be honest.

* Be yourself.

Anyone could have written that. I was hoping for something a little more insightful.

From Mumsnet??? it lucky the article didn't have the 'C' word (in full ) and a good few 'F' words also in full

densol_2

Savile wrote: »

BUT you are getting help, fbaby is talking about the people who never see medical help but are happy the claim every penny going.

With respect ( as you are new ) ive seen his/her previous posts and it hates all mentally ill people as said by someone else above xx

Confuseddot

I agree and disagree with FBaby on different subjects and I personally don't think they hate people with mental illness they have issues with those pretending to have it to claim benefits.

It is the new bad back for benefits claimants whether you like it or not.

[Deleted User]

I have a son with ASD, diagnosed with aspergers years ago, any other issues were ignored. Been reassessed by the Royal Maudsley and they've just assessed him for ADHD as well. From the interview, its quite likely they will decide he has ADHD as well.

My son (who is 20) gets very stressed, he tries his best to cope but suddenly he'll go into meltdown. Its taken him four years to get close to a level 3 qualification. When tired he talks to walls, sees things that aren't there and I've collected him from college shaking like a leaf and had to get him off the pavement when he's collapsed from stress.

He does have a PA.., paid for by social services but to be honest, its of very limited benefit and they provide mostly 2 hours a week care instead of the listed 16 hours. Occasionally it is 4 hours. They were supposed to help with life skills training, helping him with his coping skills (dealing with stress). He's learned more from me. I have used the word 'incompetent' (he was given a cooking lesson making pizza with PA's who didn't even know how to kneed bread and couldn't be bothered to find out before the lesson). They have also suggested he goes into supported living (run by their company) with nothing more than occasional support from PA's. So no one there to help when he's over tired and climbing the walls at night. Thank god he's decided to stay here. But this is 'professional help'. And all that's available.

There is no consultant or community mental health based ASD care for adults in this borough. We had to get out of borough funding to get him assessed by the Royal Maudsley who discovered the presence of this other aspect of ASD (which helps us understand why he has problems coping with life).This is a one off assessment, we won't see them again.

He can talk very well on a one to one basis (not in groups, his social skills are lacking and do cause problems), so as long as you forget the fact he doesn't look at someone when talking to them, you could think there were few or no challenges present in a situation like a PIP assessment. He went for a supported apprenticeship course.., to find no support provided for the things he found stressful and his lack of organisation skills. As usual, because he is an adult, in spite of the fact I am his appointee, no one contacted me when he got confused about appointments/training and efforts I made to contact them were ignored. Which is fairly typical. I've found the same with colleges. Needless to say the apprenticeship scheme failed.

I am pretty sure he will fail a PIP assessment when it happens. I am also sure that as things stand, he is incapable of working. There just isn't the support available. He will have little evidence (except for this one off assessment) as there is no care in this borough for adults with ASD, regular appointments with medical professionals just can't happen. He has a specialist social worker, she's busy, we see her rarely. And she is ignored most of the time by other professionals.

So Fbaby, I have a son who seems to be capable of working, but isn't as yet, and will probably fail a PIP assessment. I have put considerable effort into finding something that works for him without success. But most professionals who don't know the area of specialism would assume he can work. It would make him very happy if he could. but he'd need massive amounts of support which I have found organisations just won't provide even the ones that are supposed to.

So do people like you call him a skiver? You ought to see how hard he works before making judgments.

PMlindyloo, thank you for posting, it is useful information. I know the PIP assessment is going to happen in the next couple of years so any information from someone who worked in the field is very helpful.

ev8

Savile wrote: »

BUT you are getting help, fbaby is talking about the people who never see medical help but are happy the claim every penny going.

As a secondary condition to my others I also suffer with depression and anxiety. I find that with this I hide away, I don't feel up to talking about it with doctors and it can be a form of self sabotage.

I've been just getting on with it on my own. I have been feeling worse and worse lately, but haven't seen anyone, I feel like I don't want to, they have nothing new to offer and I feel alone.

So I do think it possible for someone to have this and not go for help all the time. Also people can think they will think them crazy if they say what they really feel (as some people have said themselves whilst suffering).

Bananas777

Having gone through the Pip assessment as well, and doing an appeal successfully, it does seem they tend to focus on the one 'main' problem and not look at other conditions or how they interact together. However, I found the appeals did seem to do this better.

Confuseddot

deannatrois wrote: »

I have a son with ASD, diagnosed with aspergers years ago, any other issues were ignored. Been reassessed by the Royal Maudsley and they've just assessed him for ADHD as well. From the interview, its quite likely they will decide he has ADHD as well.

My son (who is 20) gets very stressed, he tries his best to cope but suddenly he'll go into meltdown. Its taken him four years to get close to a level 3 qualification. When tired he talks to walls, sees things that aren't there and I've collected him from college shaking like a leaf and had to get him off the pavement when he's collapsed from stress.

He does have a PA.., paid for by social services but to be honest, its of very limited benefit and they provide mostly 2 hours a week care instead of the listed 16 hours. Occasionally it is 4 hours. They were supposed to help with life skills training, helping him with his coping skills (dealing with stress). He's learned more from me. I have used the word 'incompetent' (he was given a cooking lesson making pizza with PA's who didn't even know how to kneed bread and couldn't be bothered to find out before the lesson). They have also suggested he goes into supported living (run by their company) with nothing more than occasional support from PA's. So no one there to help when he's over tired and climbing the walls at night. Thank god he's decided to stay here. But this is 'professional help'. And all that's available.

There is no consultant or community mental health based ASD care for adults in this borough. We had to get out of borough funding to get him assessed by the Royal Maudsley who discovered the presence of this other aspect of ASD (which helps us understand why he has problems coping with life).This is a one off assessment, we won't see them again.

He can talk very well on a one to one basis (not in groups, his social skills are lacking and do cause problems), so as long as you forget the fact he doesn't look at someone when talking to them, you could think there were few or no challenges present in a situation like a PIP assessment. He went for a supported apprenticeship course.., to find no support provided for the things he found stressful and his lack of organisation skills. As usual, because he is an adult, in spite of the fact I am his appointee, no one contacted me when he got confused about appointments/training and efforts I made to contact them were ignored. Which is fairly typical. I've found the same with colleges. Needless to say the apprenticeship scheme failed.

I am pretty sure he will fail a PIP assessment when it happens. I am also sure that as things stand, he is incapable of working. There just isn't the support available. He will have little evidence (except for this one off assessment) as there is no care in this borough for adults with ASD, regular appointments with medical professionals just can't happen. He has a specialist social worker, she's busy, we see her rarely. And she is ignored most of the time by other professionals.

So Fbaby, I have a son who seems to be capable of working, but isn't as yet, and will probably fail a PIP assessment. I have put considerable effort into finding something that works for him without success. But most professionals who don't know the area of specialism would assume he can work. It would make him very happy if he could. but he'd need massive amounts of support which I have found organisations just won't provide even the ones that are supposed to.

So do people like you call him a skiver? You ought to see how hard he works before making judgments.

PMlindyloo, thank you for posting, it is useful information. I know the PIP assessment is going to happen in the next couple of years so any information from someone who worked in the field is very helpful.

I am sure you know this but Pip is about care needs and has nothing to do with your ability to work, as many people who work claim it.