I don't think I can do it.....PIP medical

Also remember that this assessment is only that- it is not the final decision as you can appeal. Something I found helpful was to think of it as if it was for a friend.

Things like breathing / relaxation and distraction, also CBT can help a bit.

Kind thoughts

HippyHappy, it's really tough going through the benefits assault course and you have all my sympathy and then some. I had to undergo a home assessment for PIP a couple of weeks ago and had no support. I really didn't think I'd make it and that I'd be carted off to hospital the day before, I really did. I had a particularly stressful DLA Tribunal many years ago and it has scarred me for life which didn't help me with the impending home alone PIP assessment.

But in the end, it really wasn't that bad. It was what it is, an assessment of another human being trying to make sense of another human being's situation. All of which is fallible and if you feel it's not what you think it should be there are procedures you can take. But you write the way I feel when these things come up and I suspect you'll just be yourself on the day. Please remember if your condition is exacerbated by the assessment, the assessor will be seeing you at your most distressed and there is absolutely no shame in that, in fact it's the opposite - it's how you truly and honestly feel - and that's the best you can hope for.

I've been feeling worse ever since the whole carry on kicked off (DLA to PIP) and have noticed that a lot of folk have said the same. The constant focusing on our illnesses is tough but it will fade as time passes. Please just know in your heart that thousands of people are going through the procedure and you are part of it; a valued and worthy human being same as every one. I'm sure everyone who reads your post has their fingers crossed for you, and if you need extra help from your support system, just ask!

Thank you everyone,

I am now under the care of the home treatment team and having to take extra medication just to ge through the day. I just need this to be over, regardless of the result! This is triggering very real sickness in me.

Matters weren't helped by someone telling me today that I was ill prepared, I should have had copies of my GP notes and my psych notes, to take along to my appointment with me!

Hello Hippy Happy, I read your post the other day and you have been on my mind a lot ever since. I just wanted to wish you good luck for Wednesday. Like you I have been worried this whole sorry saga is going to push me over the edge so I truly understand where you are coming from, I have my assessment a few days after yours and have been experiencing exactly the same thoughts as yourself, and I also thought of not going. However what keeps me a little stronger is the comments from some other members who say that their assessment really wasn't quite as bad as they had expected. A few days ago Mrs Hurtyback replied to a post of mine and suggested I ring Samaritans, which I did this morning after a very bad suicidal nite. I know it may not be for everyone but have you thought of giving this a go? I was lucky to get a very sympathetic listener on the other end of the line. You say you have an advocate to go with you, as do I. My good Samaritan suggested letting them speak for me as much as possible, and hopefully this will eliminate the bullying as this has been one of my major concerns too. Please let us know how you get on and remember, you are not on your own. I would not have got as far on with it all as I am now if it had not been for this site and the wonderful people who run it and the members who have offered their support. Some days have been unbearable, where I thought this is it, this is the end. But other days not so bad, so I try enjoy those days to the max. Hope this has helped in some way! On a lighter note, old Yorkshire saying, 'don't let the bu..ars grind you down'. Fingers crossed for you. Will be thinking of you on Wednesday. Very kind regards!!

Thank you very much, that was very kind of you,

Porthole Pete, I am so glad you called Samaritans and that they helped you. They really are a wonderful service.

I am feeling a little calmer tonight but my advocate who I met today has given me something else to worry about. Apparently my application form is so good that they are likely to question me on it! This seems so unfair. I have bipolar mood disorder....it doesn't make me unintelligent! I filled it in at a time that I was able.

Hi, Hippyhappy, I understand completely how you are feeling as I am in the same boat. I am 65 and had a lifetime award of DLA so I hoped that I wouldn't have to go through the nightmare process of PIP. I just can't face all this and am wondering if I should just phone up and withdraw my application. I am keeping fingers crossed for you. Let me know how things go. X