Thoughts on OPD

Hi mrfibrospondodysthmatic

Proving OPD is always a tricky one and that's what you will have to do. The fact that you have no mental health input always comes up, so you need to explain why you don't have any. Examples include: had some in the past and been discharged, none available, not been effective, on a waiting list, refused help by services, input from GP, unhelpful staff and a focus on medication, ineffective medication, etc etc.

Whatever medical evidence you have for your mental health condition you need to show it (letters and prescriptions)

Has any friend, or relative witnessed your panic attacks? If they have ask them to write a statement.

Then you have to describe your panic attacks. Although there is no specific definition for overwhelming psychological distress - they will be looking for it to be severe and so you have to describe in details the impact eg - how long it lasts, what happens before, during and after, how you feel and the fact that whatever you were doing you probably can't carry on or repeat it. You also need to mention the safety aspect.

You could keep a diary of the panic attacks showing the frequency of them. If you do this you need to put in capital letters how often this happens when you are away from home. To be considered for points It needs to occur more than 50% of the time. Don't leave it open for them to say it only happens occasionally.

There are few guarantees as you know, especially when trying to prove something that can't easily be measured.

BIS

Mr F

The PIP Descriptors refer to Overwhelming Psychological Distress, a "panic attack" may not be considered as meeting this requirement.

Gordon

Hi Gordon and Mrfibrospondodysthmatic,

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j...HASV9ExMpi8N4YOC-LXf

This is a link to JT v SSWP. In this case Judge Rowland observed that there was a bit of a chicken and egg situation. Which comes first?? Not going out because it makes you panicky, or going out feeling panicky and not being able to do it again. Judge Rowland felt that in a way this problem could be overthought. He felt that if you were couldn't go out because if panicky etc the it was highly likely that you had OPD, and as a counter argument if you could go out, then whatever mental health issues you have would probably not be OPD. The definition that DWP apply namely severe anxiety such as to lose function is simply not the correct test.
To follow up the original question, hiw can you prove panic attacks when certainly witnesses, and if things get so bad you need medical attention and then its all observed and noted.
But how do I prove my leg hurts or I have fatigue? Sure if I limp along or I am constantly yawning then either condition may be obviously. But the chances are that the only evidence I may have is telling someone. There are a lot if hidden illnesses, not only relating to mental health. A lot of treatment is simply done on trust. This is why (and yes, it does potentially mean unnecessary visits to GP or other health care provider) anyone claiming POP or wishing to , should visit their HP every once in a while, and discuss mhealth conditions possibly just to have a medication review etc just so the GP has notes of the health conditions and DWP can't legitimately use the 'doesn't see GP so not serious condition argument" they seem to like using.
Unfortunately many assessors don't have specialist mental health training but then equally somw do not appear to be able to deal with physical disability.
Whilst it is tedious having to appeal to a tribunal, at least most tribunal members seem to have a better grasp of the effects of illness and disability.
The only advice I can really give nmfir all PIP descriptors, is witnesses, explanations and examples.
Hope this helps.
LL26