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PIP assessment - Bipolar,personality disorder etc.

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7 years 2 months ago #178069 by jamesredbox
I am due an assessment at the end of this month with Capita.

I felt like completing the form, with the help of excellent Benefits and Work, was an achievement but now I've presumably gone into manic paranoia mode thinking that this assessment is some horrific monster waiting to ruin my life. Maybe that sounds extreme, but this is the way manic depression works I feel and I'm trying to make that clear.

Around 1995, I was diagnosed with severe agitational depression, then after that a personality disorder linked to anti-social behaviour and nervous anxiety.

I was properly diagnosed as BIPOLAR in 2007, I'd been on high rate care and low rate mobility for three years, then in 2011 this was decreased to low for both as a psychiatrist wrote that I was in 'REMISSION' - something I myself felt was wrong. I was on lithium and take citalopram, I was stabilised somewhat but not in remission.

Now, in terms of the assessment a lot of things are worrying me but I also feel that certain things are important for me to make clear to the assessors. I have repeatedly spoken with my GP and psychiatrist about removing the 'remission' view, so that should now not be an obstruction.

Can I just ask for clear and simple advice about going to the assessment please? I am getting there on a bus journey accompanied by my mother who sent a letter with my PIP application form. Does it really make any difference how anyone gets to the assessment? I will be accompanied, which will be a big support for me and lessen the panic attack aspect I hope.

Is there a recommended way to dress? In terms of behaviour, is it best to just 'be yourself'? Is that the most useful advice?

If you're now on low rates of DLA (care and mobility) now, does this impact upon the likely result of this new assessment? Or, is it something brand new and you should approach it that way and explain everything that is 'wrong' with you and how it effects you, alongside the effects of medication - which in my case is significant. Thanks for reading! I really hope to hear from people here.

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7 years 2 months ago - 7 years 2 months ago #178146 by slugsta
Hi James,

Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is

Welcome to Benefits and Work

We tell members to consider that the assessment starts when you leave home and doesn't finish until you are clear of the assessment centre. I would certainly expect you to be asked how you traveled to the venue. If this contradicts things you have put on the PIP2 form, you will have to explain this.

As to dress and behaviour 'be yourself' is, indeed, the way to go. Wear what you usually do and answer the assessor's questions as well as you can.

Our PIP guide explains what to expect on the day.

PIP was deliberately made more difficult to achieve than DLA but the criteria are very different. Some people currently on DLA will be worse off on PIP but some will actually find that the switch works in their favour.

May I suggest that you bookmark/favourite this on your web browser now so that you can find it easily in future? This will allow you to return with further questions or comments about your PIP without having to start a new topic each time. We ask members to keep everything relating to the same claim in one topic as it helps us enormously - and I hope you will find it useful too :)

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 7 years 2 months ago by slugsta.

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7 years 2 months ago #178221 by jamesredbox
Replied by jamesredbox on topic PIP assessment - Bipolar,personality disorder etc.
Thanks very much for the reply Mrs H!

If someone is affected clearly by their mental health disorder and can explain that all well, would you say that comes under the area of PIP benefiting some people? I know mobility is a big problematic issue with PIP but mental health seems pretty damned unclear, to be blunt! I'll leave this a brief reply for now, I hope some others might be able to weigh in with their mental health and PIP experiences please?

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7 years 2 months ago #178233 by Gordon

James wrote: Thanks very much for the reply Mrs H!

If someone is affected clearly by their mental health disorder and can explain that all well, would you say that comes under the area of PIP benefiting some people? I know mobility is a big problematic issue with PIP but mental health seems pretty damned unclear, to be blunt! I'll leave this a brief reply for now, I hope some others might be able to weigh in with their mental health and PIP experiences please?


Whether it is of benefit to you will depend on how your conditions effect your ability to complete your daily activities. I'm afraid that insight into your problems will not in itself result in an award.

Areas where claimants will be advantaged by PIP includes claimants with severe problems but only during the day or the night who will now be able to receive an Enhanced award where they could not under DLA, or claimants who cannot go out but also have mobility problems who may now qualify for Enhanced Mobility.

Gordon

Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems

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