PIP for ADHD - anxiety

RoisinDubh_2

I'm filling this in now, and it's going OK, I think. I'm not quite sure exactly how much detail and how many words to write for each question? I'm using an online guide with prompts, and trying to cover at least 3-4 different points for each one. For example, if asked about making journeys, I make a point that planning the journey takes a long time for me, because I have to do detailed research on Maps and come up with back-up plans, then another point about the actual journey being difficult because I need to keep checking Maps as I can't hold directions in my head, or info like which station I'm going to, and another point about not being able to cope with a crowded train, so if it gets busy, I have to get off, etc. Does this seem like it's along the right lines? I'm trying to find a balance between giving enough info that they understand my challenges and not writing so much they get overwhelmed and don't bother reading it. Ironically my autism makes it hard for me to judge what is appropriate here. 

I've got my report from my psychiatrist, and I think it outlines my difficulties quite well. It says what my diagnosis is and how it affects my day to day life. Should this be enough? Should I also give the DWP permission to contact my psychiatrist directly? Also, is it acceptable to redact any info on the report? There's a section I'm not particularly happy about concerning drugs and alcohol. When I had my assessment, I felt goaded into admitting that I had once tried cannabis. I was asked repeatedly, and eventually said I'd tried it once in Amsterdam, but hadn't liked it and never tried it again. The report says 'previous cannabis use' which I think is a total misrepresentation and I'm not very happy with it being on a report I'm about to send to a government body. Would it look suss to redact this bit? Is it even a big deal?

Auti

It sounds excellent - I have autism and I wrote all over the paper even outside the boxes because I have no idea what they mean/want when they ask a question. I redacted info and put at the bottom that it was private and not to be taken into account for PIP. They only want to know things relevant to why you need extra help and your account tells them that. I think you are doing very well.

Spoonie_Turtle

Write as much as you need to convey your points.  It can be difficult to find the balance between painting an accurate and consistent picture, and not writing about irrelevant things.  But don't worry *too* much about it.  The most important thing is to get your points across.

You can add extra sheets - I typed mine, printed them out, numbered the pages, then said 'please see sheet x' in each of the answer boxes.  Mostly because I physically cannot handwrite enough to answer the questions, but even if I could I would still have needed to use extra paper.

For the report, if you think redacting might look suspicious, you could just put an asterisk and explain something like 'tried once, in Amsterdam, never again'.  (You could even add 'irrelevant to ADHD/autism/anxiety' as applicable, if you want.)

Chablar

RoisinDubh_2 said:

Hi all,

I finally got around to ringing up (I hate using the phone) and have been sent a form to apply for PIP. I'm petrified of this process, and even the phone call was incredibly stressful and difficult for me to the point I nearly had a meltdown.

I've googled around and have seen some advice from ADHD charities on the kind of things they want you to write, but I'm still feeling petrified of the phone interview - does anyone have any tips on how to stay calm and deal with it? I've read horror stories of assessors putting words in your mouth and asking leading questions. 

Also, do people usually consent to their medical records being accessed by DWP? I said no on the phone call because I felt put on the spot and wanted more time to think about it (I struggle with making decisions quickly - part of the disability!). I asked if I could change my mind later and was told yes - will I be able to do this? I'm uncomfortable with them seeing my personal medical stuff that has nothing to do with ADHD or why I'm applying. My ADHD care is through Psychiatry UK - would it be acceptable to let them only view those records? 

Would appreciate any advice!

Depending on how extensive your medical history is of the conditions you are applying without could ask to have a paper based assessment, which skips the face to face /over the phone assessment. It's not something they openly advertise I don't think. 

My wife has crippling anxiety (sometimes to the point where she won't leave the house at all) and the few times she has done an assessment she has broken down to tears or a panic attack several times and been bed bound (she has chronic fatigue) for a significant time afterwards. This is not an acceptable standard if the evidence is already there in the paperwork. 

Weigh up if you think the evidence in your medical history is there. I've got a letter saved from a disability advocacy site for GPs saying all of this and the impact assessments can have, I can email it to you if you're interested. I've passed it in the my wife's GP twice and she's been brilliant,  both assessments have been successful - but remember it depends on the paper evidence that they will be able to see. 

RoisinDubh_2

Thanks, all. I've got quite a way through my application now. 

I've written 3-5 paragraphs for most of the criteria, and I'm thinking of writing in additional info about the adjustments I need for my job.

I have read on other forums that many ADHDers get turned down for PIP if applying later in life because the assessor says that they've managed this far so they must be OK. Is it worth addressing this in my application or should I wait to be asked? The reason I'm finding it harder and harder to cope is that I'm now single (largely because of the ADHD!) whereas in the past, partners have acted as "carers" basically. I have nobody now to prompt me to do stuff. I can just about manage to hold down a job, but I'm sitting here in a gross dirty flat full of dishes, with a stinking bin bag I can't work up the motivation to take out, etc. I'm hungry because I've been hyper focused on my application all day and haven't remembered to eat. 

Is it worth addressing this?

Spoonie_Turtle

I would include that, the assessor might take no notice but you've addressed it from the off and it gives good grounding to challenge the decision if you need to.  (Although if the more experienced members think differently, I'll defer to them.)

Muttleythefrog

I would agree with Spoonie.... I personally have always been a fan of 'first strike' tactics (and not just for claiming benefits!)... cut off their ability to think or assert incorrectly. You can nicely use the changing circumstances to impress upon them the difficulties you have...I'm thinking along the general lines of 'in the past I had a partner who would have to prompt me to do x, but now they've gone I don't get the prompting I need and the result is y'

Other members may of course as Spoonie points to think differently... for example some might say they're looking at your current difficulties so why mention the past.... but I think any facts that can be described which point to an ongoing problem that has remained a problem despite changes in circumstances can not realistically do harm and at the end of the day you're trying to impress upon them your truth... someone's truth should make sense over time. In my case the opposite is true.. I never had a partner so I simply failed to do many things that now I have a carer wife to prompt and supervise in relation to... so in my initial application for PIP (not in reviews since as time moves on and I refer to the accuracy of previous submissions/evidence) I did describe how that transition had affected me in relation to the tasks while asserting the underlying difficulties were unchanged...e.g... I used to forget to take my medication and sometimes might double dose as I needed someone to prompt me to take it appropriately due to problems x,y,z.. now I have my wife who does prompt me to take my medication each day as required and will even bring it to me if I am disabled by depression to the point of being unable to go to the kitchen for it.

RoisinDubh_2

Thanks for the advice.

Are they allowed to ask anything such as if you ever go on holiday? I do travel a bit (alone - I have no partner and no friends), and it's literally the only thing I do outside work right now. I save every single penny, and it's basically the only thing keeping me going. Are they allowed to ask me anything like this and use it against me? 

Spoonie_Turtle

I would think they are allowed to ask, but for PIP it's based on more than 50% of the time.  So occasional holidays don't point to being able to consistently function on a daily basis.

Chablar

PerRoisinDubh_2 said:

I have read on other forums that many ADHDers get turned down for PIP if applying later in life because the assessor says that they've managed this far so they must be OK. Is it worth addressing this in my application or should I wait to be asked?

I would definitely mention this. It says in the DWP guidelines that PIP should he decided on the help you need, whether or not you actually receive help from anyone. So if you've been "managing" all these years, it's been a struggle. 

Are you using the DWP breakdown of all the points scoring to help form your answers to the questions?