How to cope at pip tribunal

scarletspy

I applied for PIP back in April on the grounds of my hyper mobility and anxiety. My anxiety - specifically social anxiety - means I don't go out without someone with me. I can cope going to familiar places alone sometimes but I don't socialise alone at all. The only times I do socialise is when I take my grandmother to her lunch club and even then I mostly sit in the corner by myself. I've been pretty isolated in the past few years and have no friends. My brain sort of blanks when someone talks to me. I stutter and blush and afterwards replay the encounter over and over in my head. I've seen a psychologist in the past for this but only had access to a limited amount of appointments (8 or 9 I think). I've been on medication for anxiety/depression for years.

My hyper mobility causes constant pain in most of my joints. I have multi directional instability in my right shoulder meaning it pops out with pretty much any movement. I can't lift my arm above my head and need help washing my hair, showering and getting dressed. I also have tennis elbow on the same arm which causes pain with gripping movements so I struggle with things like holding a pen and chopping vegetable. My left knee frequently subluxate causing extreme pain, weakness and stiffness. I also have plantar fasciitis so I can't stand for very long on I get a lot of pain in my heels. My hips also click when I walk and I get left hip pain which radiates down to my knee if I stand, walk or sit for too long.

I was advised to be as detailed as possible during my f2f interview so that they would get a complete picture or my issues. I practiced for weeks before hand figuring out exactly what I would say and practicing breathing exercises, etc to try to lower my anxiety. For some reason I'm more comfortable when dealing with medical professionals so I managed to get through my f2f ok. I took someone with me for support as I couldn't go alone. I explained the amount of anxiety I had went through in the run up to the interview and told the adviser that the anxiety had caused my IBS to flare up.

The interviewer seemed nice although she didn't really look at me at all and instead spent the interview looking and typing on her computer. The lack of eye contact put me a bit more at ease and I kind of babbled at her during the interview.

When the decision and report came it said that I didn't appear anxious and there was no evidence of a mental health problem. It said that the fact that I could speak during my interview showed I don't suffer from anxiety. It said I wasn't currently under treatment and wasn't on medication for it so this showed I didn't have it. I had written on my form and stated during my interview that I had been in treatment previously but you only get a certain amount of appointments for CBT before they discharge you. I also stated that I had been taking antidepressants for a few years.

As for my hypermobility - during the physical exam she asked me to remove my hooded top which I did no problem (it didn't require me to raise my arms). At the end, my nan had to help me put it back on as I couldn't do it myself. She wrote in her report that I had restricted movement in my shoulder but I could take a top off and put it back on myself so I obviously didn't need help dressing/bathing.

I disputed these comments in my MR and sent in evidence from my doctor statin that I suffered from anxiety/depression and was waiting to see a surgeon about my shoulder. I explained that being able to slip off a hoody didn't mean I was able to wash my hair or put a bra on alone. I said I had worn the hoody that day because I knew it would be easier to get on/off during the exam.

Anyway, I'm in the process of going to tribunal which I'm terrified about. I have a rep but they said they just advise me and send in a report they don't actually go with me. I'm planning on taking my mother with me but I'm freaking out about how I'm going to cope with it. Talking to a nurse during the f2f was hard enough but being the focus of 3 people on the panel is like a nightmare. In situations like this I always clam up. It's like I forget how to speak. I'm really worried that they're going to ask me questions and I'm not going to be able to answer. I'm so scared I'm going to fall apart and be a stuttering mess. Showing emotion in public is one of my biggest fears. It makes me feel so weak and helpless. I'm not super demonstrative even with my own family so Im dreading the idea of being so vulnerable in public.

I'm looking for advise from anyone else who has been through tribunal who suffers from anxiety. How did it go for you? How did you cope? What kind of things did they ask? Are there any steps you took to make things easier on you and reduced your anxiety? I find that the more I know about a situation and the more I can plan for it, the lower my anxiety is so I'm looking for as much info as possible.

Thanks

hello007007

Any updates?

newtothis999

Hi

I don't know if you have been to the tribunal yet but would like to tell you about my husband's experience.

He suffers with severe anxiety disorder and chronic depression and wasn't capable of attending his tribunal alone. I went with him as his carer. From the moment we arrived in the waiting room he was clearly distressed and sobbing. This lasted throught the whole hearing and I had to answer most of the questions for him.

We found that the judge was extremely kind and helpful and he actually expressed his disgust that the DWP had made my husband attend a tribunal even though letters from his psychiatrist and gp clearly explained his situation.

Don't worry too much about it. It seems to me that your comment:

'I'm really worried that they're going to ask me questions and I'm not going to be able to answer. I'm so scared I'm going to fall apart and be a stuttering mess'

may actually go in your favour.

I hope you go on ok.

rockingbilly

scarletspy wrote: »

I've seen a psychologist in the past for this but only had access to a limited amount of appointments (8 or 9 I think). I've been on medication for anxiety/depression for years........I had written on my form and stated during my interview that I had been in treatment previously but you only get a certain amount of appointments for CBT before they discharge you. I also stated that I had been taking antidepressants for a few years.

Probably the reason for the assessor not accepting this is that someone who has major mental health problems is never discharged from any intervention by either medical staff or social workers etc. You may well have been discharged into the care of your GP but if needed he would re-refer you back should a problem arise. In my case I am now under the care of the CMHT for Older People.
I've been in the system for over 20 years. I have access to a social worker when needed, my GP prescribes medication on the instructions of a consultant psychiatrist and is reviewed at least once a year. Additionally should there be a need, my wife has access to an emergency service 24/7. Ringing that number will alert a CPN/Social Worker to carry out an emergency home visit.
I once did a disappearing act from home in the early hours of the morning. My wife reported the fact to the service and within 30 mins not only did a CPN come to the house and stay with my wife but the police were also alerted by Social Services and they carried out a search of the locality on the basis that a vulnerable person had gone walk about. I was found a few hours later and taken back home.
As you see the system is always there.

GlasweJen

Genuine question, how do you get a hoody off without raising your arm over your head? I've not been able to wear one for years after a shoulder injury so all my tops have buttons or zips.

poppy12345

GlasweJen wrote: »

Genuine question, how do you get a hoody off without raising your arm over your head? I've not been able to wear one for years after a shoulder injury so all my tops have buttons or zips.

I'd love to know the answer too..

rockingbilly

GlasweJen wrote: »

Genuine question, how do you get a hoody off without raising your arm over your head? I've not been able to wear one for years after a shoulder injury so all my tops have buttons or zips.

Just as bad, I have major difficulties taking off and putting on a sleeveless vest!! Honest it's the worst bit of clothing to put on and off.

Reamarie

Hey. I know I'm late to the party but I had to take my claim to tribunal and I was granted pip.

It's really stressful. I know that much. My best advice is to just be honest in the hearing. Send in as much evidence as you can beforehand so the group can look at it. And don't hide anything.

If you're struggling then let them know!! These people do not work for dwp and are on your side. You get a judge, a doctor and someone who deals with disabilities all the time. They'll understand better than any pip assessor.

Make your case, let them know where you think the decision is wrong and if you want to cry then just cry. It's fine. If you're uncomfortable then move.

60% of decisions get overturned at tribunal. That's how often the assessors are wrong.

And good luck