Mental Health Claimants - Questions asked at ESA and PIP medicals

belinda1960

I am due to attend the above medicals in support of a claimant.

Was wondering if anybody has been to a PIP/ESA medical in the past year and what questions were asked specifically in respect of mental health issues.

I know that there are lists of questions typically asked by assessors on the web etc, but am particularly interested in recent trends and any "trick" questions.

Thanks

1234mas430

Your quite a vile little person ...saVILE suits you to a tee.

Bogalot

Savile wrote: »

You can't be "tricked" if you are telling the truth.

This is true. Don't underplay your condition but also don't overplay it. There was a recent example where someone could browse the internet, read the news, but then claimed not to know who the Prime Minister was. Assessors will listen to what you say, but they'll draw their own conclusions if your responses are contradictory.

poppy12345

Savile wrote: »

You can't be "tricked" if you are telling the truth.

This is very very true. Questions though are mostly based around what you wrote on the forms.

densol_2

Savile wrote: »

You can't be "tricked" if you are telling the truth.

Total rubbish. These interviewers are trained to trick confuse lie and confuse people. None of those writing on this forum in such terms have been through the humiliation of ESA/PIP interviews I would bet. If they had, they might have an ounce of empathy.

Crap site - crap board - please ban me !! Lol

belinda1960

"This is very very true. Questions though are mostly based around what you wrote on the forms "

From what I have heard many assessors don't even bother reading the forms before the medical.

Anyhow, please answer the query raised on the post.

NeilCr

It might be helpful, if you are okay to do it, to give some more details of the actual mental health issues involved

That may narrow the field a bit as I am aware that there could be different questions for different conditions

FBaby

Total rubbish. These interviewers are trained to trick confuse lie and confuse people. None of those writing on this forum in such terms have been through the humiliation of ESA/PIP interviews I would bet. If they had, they might have an ounce of empathy.

The alternative being to take for gospel everything the claimant says. Considering how honesty is lost its value in our society as people convince themselves that the outcome justifies the mean, I can imagine that a large number of claimants would use this opportunity to say whatever they need for the sole purpose of gaining the benefits they are after.

Unfortunately, the more people lie/exagerate, the more 'tricks' need to be implemented to be able to evidence the lies/exagerations. Indeed, it is quite interesting to see how some people get 'caught' in their lies. The cleverer and more informed you are, the better you fare!

Thankfully, the majority of people assessed have a geniune need for the benefits they are after and have no issue evidencing it.

Tolly_T

There are some questions that they're trained to ask which are of little use for most people with mental illness other than to decide that they aren't eligible. For example spelling WORLD forwards then backwards, starting at 100 deduct 7 repeatedly or remembering 3 objects that they show you. My CPN said these questions are supposed to be used as an initial screening test for dementia but they can be used to assess any mental illness for PIP.

Looking them in the eyes and rocking in a chair. Easy to fake if someone wanted to but if a genuine claimant makes eye contact and doesn't rock they might be turned down for PIP.

Clean clothes, washed and brushed hair. Another that's easy to fake but many genuine claimants will be well presented, or 'well kempt' - the option in their drop down box. If you suffer severe anxiety you'll do what you can to not stand out when you're out of your house. You might be sat all day in pyjamas if you're not going out but going to an assessment without making some sort of effort would be quite unusual behaviour for people with mental or physical health problems.

Good qualifications too - another reason they decide people don't have mental illness. If you got a degree 20+ years ago you're obviously not ill now?? It shows a clear lack of understanding about mental illness. They don't decide if someone ran a marathon 20+ years ago that they're not virtually unable to walk now.

If you don't have any input from secondary mental health care services you're deemed not to be severely ill. This is the one that annoys me most as my psychiatrist sees me as and when my GP needs advice but then I'm immediately discharged back to my GP. I have a GP who has a particular interest in mental illness so I'm very happy with her taking control of my care.

cmazza

I have had a PIP interview in the last 3 months. I have borderline personality disorder, I have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist which helped. I found the experience quite intimidating but I find talking to new people and leaving the house intimidating. They just asked me similar questions to those on the form. The lady asked me how my mental health issue hindered my life and I explained. It was as simple as that. I didn't have any trick questions.

NeilCr

I think you have to be honest and as relaxed as you can. If you start looking for trick questions you may well end up getting yourselves in a muddle

I know that people have really bad experiences at medical - and they do need overhauling - but it's worth remembering that a lot of folks get through them okay and get the right outcome for them. In general, those who have had good/okay experiences tend not to go online and talk about them.