PIP for depression

I do apologise Carole. OPD stands for overwhelming psychological distress which you mentioned in your first post. (My fingers regularly get in a tangle when I am typing those words which is my excuse for using the abbreviation.)

I am really encouraged by your previous post - that letter you found sounds really helpful! Thank you also for your kinds words

Catherine

Hi Carole,
I am saddened to hear about your PIP experience. I'm afraid that this can happen. However, I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestions made in previous responses. PIP is a very negative process, and contradicts everything you have probably learned from an early age to portray the best version of yourself.
Please do a disability diary. This will be challenging, but can also be a useful tool. By writing down your experiences, where things became too much, you may be able to see patterns emerging. It may also reveal trigger events; it could be something random and unremarkable that happens the day before, or it could just be fatigue from an exhausting day, the day before, or even two or three days earlier. This may help you manage your health and avoid or minimise trigger events.
The Ability diary is equally important. Even small achievements are important. If you have always burnt scrambled egg, and today you didn't write it down. It is an achievement!
A successful MR is all about the detail. EG A comment saying 'I had an argument with the receptionist at the GP' will be unlikely to raise any question of PIP points. But if you then explained how the yellow dress the receptionist reminded of your mum, caused you to be very upset, you later found yourself in a side room with a nurse, sobbing and shaking uncontrollably, probably for several hours, and were later told that you used some very unpleasant words etc etc is much more likely to be the light bulb moment to get the assessor and or decision make to sit up and pay attention.
Give details of these kind of events. Or if you also have physical difficulties, you can do the same. Don't just say 'I had a fall', explain the whole scenario, bruises and all! You can include these in your MR or separately if this has already been sent in.

One final piece of advice. This is the most important bit! Don't give up!
I am aware of many individuals who achieved zero points initially and went on to gain enhanced rate for both daily living and mobility. I am not going to say it will be easy, and possibly not quick. But it can happen, and often does. But...only if you don't give up!
Good luck.
I hope this helps.
LL26