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Please advise for answering Mixing with other people question
- anxious
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6 days 16 hours ago #301802 by anxious
Please advise for answering Mixing with other people question was created by anxious
Hi ,
I was hoping to get some advice for the "mixing with other people" question on PIP. I've had severe OCD for many years and this has caused me to avoid social engagement at pretty much all costs due to the severe distress and ruminations it often leaves me with.
I'm currently in the process of responding to this on my pip review form. In my original award I was only given 4 points for this, but i really think the full 8 points should apply to me as 9 times out of 10 I will avoid any social contact because of the distress it causes me, which seems to fit the descriptor of 9d (i). On the rare cases I do socially engage, I always have a specific family member with me or my partner, and I only feel comfortable when those people are with me as a kind of social shield.
I'm worried that if I answer the questions and mention that sometimes I can engage if I have a specific person with me, that would go against me and I'd only receive 4 points. This seems very unjust to me considering that for many years I've I avoided social contact because of the distress it gives me.
Can anyone recommend how I may word this question appropriately please. I'm very passionate about arguing my case on this point as I feel I lost out on a higher pip reward last time purely because this point was not recognised for how much it affects me.
Thanks in advance for any help
I was hoping to get some advice for the "mixing with other people" question on PIP. I've had severe OCD for many years and this has caused me to avoid social engagement at pretty much all costs due to the severe distress and ruminations it often leaves me with.
I'm currently in the process of responding to this on my pip review form. In my original award I was only given 4 points for this, but i really think the full 8 points should apply to me as 9 times out of 10 I will avoid any social contact because of the distress it causes me, which seems to fit the descriptor of 9d (i). On the rare cases I do socially engage, I always have a specific family member with me or my partner, and I only feel comfortable when those people are with me as a kind of social shield.
I'm worried that if I answer the questions and mention that sometimes I can engage if I have a specific person with me, that would go against me and I'd only receive 4 points. This seems very unjust to me considering that for many years I've I avoided social contact because of the distress it gives me.
Can anyone recommend how I may word this question appropriately please. I'm very passionate about arguing my case on this point as I feel I lost out on a higher pip reward last time purely because this point was not recognised for how much it affects me.
Thanks in advance for any help
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6 days 14 hours ago #301815 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Please advise for answering Mixing with other people question
Hi anxious
I can't tell you what to write - but here are the things you need to consider.
1. The person reading your form may have very little knowledge or understanding of OCD. So you need to make it clear what the 'severe distress and ruminations' is like for you.
2. Break it down so you describe what happens if you even have to think about mixing with other people. Palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking, depression, extreme agitation, nausea, etc. What steps do you take? Do you hide, do you stay in bed, and do you start taking repetitive actions? Do you get angry? How do you feel about not being able to meet people socially? Does it leave you feeling isolated and depressed? etc etc. You're the expert in what happens to you, so you need to tell them. You make it clear that it is the majority of the time. When you say that you feel comfortable with your partner or family member, do you really feel comfortable or do you feel less agitated? And what level is that agitation? Do you have to be encouraged to even try to leave the house to socialise and have you had to return home because it is too much? If you have rarely socialised and say it is only once a year - or once every four or five years then emphasise how rare it is.
3. Be careful of the language you use because an assessor is likely to assume that you are fine, when there is a possibility that you are not fine; their presence just helps you to get through what is a highly stressful situation.
Hope this helps.
BIS
I can't tell you what to write - but here are the things you need to consider.
1. The person reading your form may have very little knowledge or understanding of OCD. So you need to make it clear what the 'severe distress and ruminations' is like for you.
2. Break it down so you describe what happens if you even have to think about mixing with other people. Palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking, depression, extreme agitation, nausea, etc. What steps do you take? Do you hide, do you stay in bed, and do you start taking repetitive actions? Do you get angry? How do you feel about not being able to meet people socially? Does it leave you feeling isolated and depressed? etc etc. You're the expert in what happens to you, so you need to tell them. You make it clear that it is the majority of the time. When you say that you feel comfortable with your partner or family member, do you really feel comfortable or do you feel less agitated? And what level is that agitation? Do you have to be encouraged to even try to leave the house to socialise and have you had to return home because it is too much? If you have rarely socialised and say it is only once a year - or once every four or five years then emphasise how rare it is.
3. Be careful of the language you use because an assessor is likely to assume that you are fine, when there is a possibility that you are not fine; their presence just helps you to get through what is a highly stressful situation.
Hope this helps.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: anxious
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3 days 17 hours ago #302046 by anxious
Replied by anxious on topic Please advise for answering Mixing with other people question
Thank you for this, it’s very helpful . I’ll try to explain it In as much detail as possible and your notes are a big help. From what I understand there’s no point in me saying I disagreed with the previous assessment either as it’s been 2 years since my award and impossible to backdate it either way ?
one thing I am wondering is if I should argue my condition has deteriorated. I have additional reasons why social contact is avoided for me now because of new ocd that has developed since my claim . These new ocd symptoms also cause me overwhelming distress in mixing with other people and I avoid it because of this. Does it still count as a deterioration of my condition if my previous symptoms at the start of original claim also caused me to avoid social contact to the same degree. I think it can be taken either way and I’m not sure how to phrase it
one thing I am wondering is if I should argue my condition has deteriorated. I have additional reasons why social contact is avoided for me now because of new ocd that has developed since my claim . These new ocd symptoms also cause me overwhelming distress in mixing with other people and I avoid it because of this. Does it still count as a deterioration of my condition if my previous symptoms at the start of original claim also caused me to avoid social contact to the same degree. I think it can be taken either way and I’m not sure how to phrase it
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1 day 21 hours ago #302110 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Please advise for answering Mixing with other people question
Hi anxious
If you have new symptoms, you should say that your condition has deteriorated and how it manifests. You are perfectly entitled to say that you didn't agree with the score last time - the issues you have are ongoing from (date) - and then put all your focus on strengthening your arguments for how you are now, adding in the additional issues.
BIS
If you have new symptoms, you should say that your condition has deteriorated and how it manifests. You are perfectly entitled to say that you didn't agree with the score last time - the issues you have are ongoing from (date) - and then put all your focus on strengthening your arguments for how you are now, adding in the additional issues.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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