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My PIP review and questions/concerns
- Anxious Anonymous
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1 year 2 months ago #283202 by Anxious Anonymous
My PIP review and questions/concerns was created by Anxious Anonymous
Hello,
I've posted quite a lot on the forums about various things but I've got a lot of worries/concerns and stress building about my PIP review. I'm currently not very well and on weekly prescriptions (which probably tells you a lot). I don't have a lot of help from family or friends because I'm quite socially isolated so I decided to pay for fightback4justice to fill out my form but when they sent me the completed PIP review form, I felt even more scared because even though the lady tried to reassure me I felt like there was so much more that could be added but she mentioned how you have to go with the descriptors.
I have been diagnosed with numerous conditions: depression & anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, non-epileptic attack disorder, bipolar affective disorder, ADHD and I'm suspected autistic and in fact the last psychiatrist didn't formally assess me but said I think you have ASD and my GP wrote that onto my summary record that I had autism spectrum condition but I'm awaiting an assessment.
So my concerns with my PIP review form are the following:
1) I have weekly prescriptions currently and that's written on the PIP review form however my mind keeps saying what if these change to 28 day prescriptions again. That means I'll have to ring PIP again and another change of circumstances.
2) I was awarded 1E for mobility last time and told them I can only do 15 minutes around a shop. My conditions with regards to panic, high levels of anxiety, risk of non-epileptic attacks and seizures means I always need someone to accompany me. I'm phobic about certain situations. I will attend doctors appointments with the help of another person but that doesn't mean it leaves me feeling great.
3) I have so many conditions, it's difficult to work out what's causing what and that is also confusing for me in some senses. I didn't know whether to put down every condition I've been diagnosed with or just pick the main 3 or 4.
4) My PIP review form doesn't mention about supervision and safety in the shower although I'm not showering at all lately because of poor energy, low mood, feeling suicidal etc. Plus chronic pain etc.
5) I know I have a tendency to overthink and I also lack the ability to organise myself. I'm struggling with sending the form in because I'm worried about the evidence and how personal it is and how awful some of the things written are.
I've posted quite a lot on the forums about various things but I've got a lot of worries/concerns and stress building about my PIP review. I'm currently not very well and on weekly prescriptions (which probably tells you a lot). I don't have a lot of help from family or friends because I'm quite socially isolated so I decided to pay for fightback4justice to fill out my form but when they sent me the completed PIP review form, I felt even more scared because even though the lady tried to reassure me I felt like there was so much more that could be added but she mentioned how you have to go with the descriptors.
I have been diagnosed with numerous conditions: depression & anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, non-epileptic attack disorder, bipolar affective disorder, ADHD and I'm suspected autistic and in fact the last psychiatrist didn't formally assess me but said I think you have ASD and my GP wrote that onto my summary record that I had autism spectrum condition but I'm awaiting an assessment.
So my concerns with my PIP review form are the following:
1) I have weekly prescriptions currently and that's written on the PIP review form however my mind keeps saying what if these change to 28 day prescriptions again. That means I'll have to ring PIP again and another change of circumstances.
2) I was awarded 1E for mobility last time and told them I can only do 15 minutes around a shop. My conditions with regards to panic, high levels of anxiety, risk of non-epileptic attacks and seizures means I always need someone to accompany me. I'm phobic about certain situations. I will attend doctors appointments with the help of another person but that doesn't mean it leaves me feeling great.
3) I have so many conditions, it's difficult to work out what's causing what and that is also confusing for me in some senses. I didn't know whether to put down every condition I've been diagnosed with or just pick the main 3 or 4.
4) My PIP review form doesn't mention about supervision and safety in the shower although I'm not showering at all lately because of poor energy, low mood, feeling suicidal etc. Plus chronic pain etc.
5) I know I have a tendency to overthink and I also lack the ability to organise myself. I'm struggling with sending the form in because I'm worried about the evidence and how personal it is and how awful some of the things written are.
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- BIS
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1 year 2 months ago #283213 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic My PIP review and questions/concerns
Hi Anxious Anonymous
I will respond to each of your numbered paragraphs in order.
1) If you went from weekly to 28-day prescriptions - it would be because your doctor considered there would be a reduced risk of you self-harming. Would it make any difference to the PIP criteria? No, it wouldn't. It would have no impact on whether you could make a meal, manage a budget, or communicate with others - which are just three of the PIP questions. It wouldn't be relevant to the other questions, either. There is no need to inform the DWP of a change of circumstances for a change in how often your prescription is dispensed.
2) I'm not sure what I can say here - other than you will have to wait and see if they award you 1E again.
3) There is no right or wrong answer to whether you put in all or some of your conditions. If you get the award you want, you will believe you did the right thing - if you don't get the award you want, you'll believe you did the wrong thing. No one can make this right for you or give you an answer that will make it comfortable for you. You can only fill in the form to the best of your ability, and that's what you've done.
4)No form is ever perfect. If you have a telephone assessment and washing comes up - you can tell the assessor that you are not showering at the current time, but if you did, you would need supervision. If you are hoping for a paper-based decision, then you will have to accept that bit of information is missing. All I can say is that if you keep worrying about every question that doesn't appear as you want, you will make yourself even more ill. You have enough to manage as it is.
5)You are not alone in worrying about the contents of your form because some of the evidence sounds so awful. It can feel humiliating and degrading to think that a complete stranger is going to be reading about issues that are so personal. I know it's difficult, but I try to view this differently. The fact is the people who read your forms are strangers. They don't know you, they've never met you, and they wouldn't know you if they met you down the street. Once your assessment is over - they move onto the next person and don't give you another thought. So, as much as it hurts - it is just a process - an awful one, yes - but it's the only way you can be awarded the support you need.
You can organise your thoughts here to write up your concerns - so I have no doubt that the form you will send in will be much better than you think it will be. Try to finish it, send it in, and then give yourself a break.
BIS
I will respond to each of your numbered paragraphs in order.
1) If you went from weekly to 28-day prescriptions - it would be because your doctor considered there would be a reduced risk of you self-harming. Would it make any difference to the PIP criteria? No, it wouldn't. It would have no impact on whether you could make a meal, manage a budget, or communicate with others - which are just three of the PIP questions. It wouldn't be relevant to the other questions, either. There is no need to inform the DWP of a change of circumstances for a change in how often your prescription is dispensed.
2) I'm not sure what I can say here - other than you will have to wait and see if they award you 1E again.
3) There is no right or wrong answer to whether you put in all or some of your conditions. If you get the award you want, you will believe you did the right thing - if you don't get the award you want, you'll believe you did the wrong thing. No one can make this right for you or give you an answer that will make it comfortable for you. You can only fill in the form to the best of your ability, and that's what you've done.
4)No form is ever perfect. If you have a telephone assessment and washing comes up - you can tell the assessor that you are not showering at the current time, but if you did, you would need supervision. If you are hoping for a paper-based decision, then you will have to accept that bit of information is missing. All I can say is that if you keep worrying about every question that doesn't appear as you want, you will make yourself even more ill. You have enough to manage as it is.
5)You are not alone in worrying about the contents of your form because some of the evidence sounds so awful. It can feel humiliating and degrading to think that a complete stranger is going to be reading about issues that are so personal. I know it's difficult, but I try to view this differently. The fact is the people who read your forms are strangers. They don't know you, they've never met you, and they wouldn't know you if they met you down the street. Once your assessment is over - they move onto the next person and don't give you another thought. So, as much as it hurts - it is just a process - an awful one, yes - but it's the only way you can be awarded the support you need.
You can organise your thoughts here to write up your concerns - so I have no doubt that the form you will send in will be much better than you think it will be. Try to finish it, send it in, and then give yourself a break.
BIS
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- Anxious Anonymous
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1 year 2 months ago #283230 by Anxious Anonymous
Replied by Anxious Anonymous on topic My PIP review and questions/concerns
Hi,
I’m still confused about the prescriptions. I thought I would score 1 point with regards to using a dosette box and also maybe a need for supervision at times of risk?
Also, would a personal statement help? I read on rethink mental illness about writing a personal statement. I don’t know what I’d put in it like but would it be worthwhile?
I have two areas I’m really worried and confused about. That is mixing with other people and the journeys.
I’m still not sure how you would score for those two. Especially since I got 1E last time and a person who meets 1E cannot meet 1F. So I would need accompanying for a journey at all times but they said I wasn’t making journeys on the majority of days last time.
I’m still confused about the prescriptions. I thought I would score 1 point with regards to using a dosette box and also maybe a need for supervision at times of risk?
Also, would a personal statement help? I read on rethink mental illness about writing a personal statement. I don’t know what I’d put in it like but would it be worthwhile?
I have two areas I’m really worried and confused about. That is mixing with other people and the journeys.
I’m still not sure how you would score for those two. Especially since I got 1E last time and a person who meets 1E cannot meet 1F. So I would need accompanying for a journey at all times but they said I wasn’t making journeys on the majority of days last time.
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- BIS
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1 year 2 months ago #283231 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic My PIP review and questions/concerns
Hi Anxious Anonymous
Regarding the medication -- there are three options for question 3 - but even if all three apply, you can only score one point. So, the dosette box and the need for supervision will only score you one point.
I can't tell you whether a personal statement will help, nor can I tell you what you should put in it. It's a personal choice. You might choose to write one if you think there is something they need to know that isn't covered elsewhere.
I can't tell you how they are going to score you in the area of journeys or mixing with people.
I've rarely met anyone who gets scored exactly what they expect for each question. You can put down what you think but then you have to see whether an assessor agrees.
BIS
Regarding the medication -- there are three options for question 3 - but even if all three apply, you can only score one point. So, the dosette box and the need for supervision will only score you one point.
I can't tell you whether a personal statement will help, nor can I tell you what you should put in it. It's a personal choice. You might choose to write one if you think there is something they need to know that isn't covered elsewhere.
I can't tell you how they are going to score you in the area of journeys or mixing with people.
I've rarely met anyone who gets scored exactly what they expect for each question. You can put down what you think but then you have to see whether an assessor agrees.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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1 year 2 months ago #283307 by Anxious Anonymous
Replied by Anxious Anonymous on topic My PIP review and questions/concerns
Hi BIS,
On the copies of medical evidence, do I need to add my name, national insurance number etc.
On the copies of medical evidence, do I need to add my name, national insurance number etc.
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1 year 2 months ago #283324 by Chris
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Replied by Chris on topic My PIP review and questions/concerns
Hi AA,
Yes, you do - it helps in case they get mixed up, they can relate it straight to you.
Regards, Chris.
Yes, you do - it helps in case they get mixed up, they can relate it straight to you.
Regards, Chris.
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