I dont think i can go ahead with appeal

I suffer from axiety so bad that its prevented me from telling my gp,i have never mentioned it to anybody in my life, i have had it my entire life. i havent evern mentione it on my dla application because i ahve never told my gp.

neway im awating to recive a date for my appeal but as time gose by my axiety has been getting worse. its got to the point where i cant sleep or eat properly its constantly on my mind its making me feel ill.i always think the worst of every situation, iv got to the point i feel so low that i feel like i want a non oral hearing i just dont feel i can face it.when i leave the house i feel like everybody is looking at me evern tho i know thats a stupid thought and that they are not when i am out i feel so insecure its unbeliveable.

i applied for dla based on a physical disability. i belive i should be entitled from a mental health point of view and i have never even mentiond the mental health problems ever.

I just cant face having to talk about my difficultires using the toilet and getting dressed etc, i thought i could do it but as it gets closer i know i wont be able to, everytime i get a letter in the post i feel panicly and im filled with axierty and feel sick to my stomach thats just wating for the letter with the date of the appeal. i cant imagine how i will feel the day it actualy comes.

iv tried to block all of this out for the last couple of weeks but now im thinking the day is going to comer sooner or later i just cant deal with it.

iv had no help from anybody, i have NO friends and nobody to talk to about anythink. i feel like i have just had enough now. im constaly tired and feel weak i cant rember then last time i felt happyness i just want to sleep all of the time.

i actualy feel good about the fact the appeal is taking so long because im so scared of going. i just dont know what to do with my self anymore, i want to do a paper appeal instead but is that really a bad idea?

Please go to see your GP as soon as possible and tell him all of this. Ask to be referred to a mental health team. There is no need to worry about telling him everything as thats what he is there for. Tell him how worried you are about the claim and how ill it is making you. Ask if he will support you in your appeal. Are you already getting any benefits ? if so what are you getting it for ? Your problems are very real. I would certainly go ahead and put in your claim but if you tell your gp then it will give you a bit of support.
Have you had a letter yet ? please do not get stressed out like this. There is help out there for you. You must go and see your gp straight away, ask for an emergency appt as it is an emergency if its making you so ill.

Have you thought of looking to see whether there is a mental health advocacy group near where you live?

What about seeing your GP about some CBT or counselling? It's a bit pot-luck how soon you could get it, but it's worth a try. Between a third and a quarter of all GP appointments are for mental health problems, so your GP won't be shocked if you say you have a lot of anxiety.

If you need someone to talk to about your anxiety, had you thought of the Samaritans? You don't have to be suicidal to talk to them.

It's up to you whether you go ahead with an oral appeal, but I hope you'll try and get some help or support with your anxiety before you give up. If you do feel you can't go through with it, though, a paper appeal is better than nothing, and if you don't succeed, you can make a fresh application based on the worsening of your condition and your mental health symptoms as well as your physical symptoms.

www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/

Sane helpline 0845 7678000

Hope this helps you. Keep talking as it will help you.

Jox,

please go and see your GP immediately. It is imperative that your condition is noted as it will help you deal with it and will begin an important phase in your life.

Any illness, physical or mental, should be recognised and documented and I am sure before long you will find all sorts of support avenues being opened for you to use.

Anxiety is not nice and if it affecting your everyday living then this is important to any claim you make.

Keep us all informed please as there is loads of help always available on this site.

Lisa