ESA medical question about "panic attacks"

My recent ESA medical was quite quick, just under 20 minutes. I've been dwelling on it ever since and I think the reason was because the ADA/HCP asked very specific, very closed questions. One of the problems I have because of my ASD is not fully understanding questions because I take them too literally. As a result I will often answer a closed question with a yes or a no. I can see now what some of the questiosn were actually about and how I will have missed out on points.

But one particular questions has left me puzzled. The last qustion I was asked was simply "Do you have panic attacks" to which I answered no. I suffer with severe anxiety and frequently have anxiety attacks but none of my Drs have ever referred to them specifically as "panic attacks". Much earlier in the intervuew in anotehr question I'd already gone into great detail about how social contact causes me great anxiety including strong physical symptoms.

Does anyone know what they're getting at with this question? Is it literally about panic attacks or is there something more hidden behibd it?

Hi asdman

Experiencing frequent panic attacks was a relevant PCA descriptor. It's not directly relevant to the WCA but the question may have been asked in relation to the 'coping with social situations' or 'going out' activities.

It's not unusual for ADAs to ask inadequate questions to such an extent that you wonder why they are asking them. For example you may be asked if you have problems washing and dressing and be denied points for sustaining personal action if you have no problems. But I think the important issue is what the ADA stated on your medical report.

If the fact that you said no to the panic attack question was used to deny points, consider if there was any other information that the ADA either failed to ask or failed to consider for the activity.

In all honesty I don't know the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks, if there is any, but for the purpose of the WCA the words used to describe the problem are not so important. You should score points if the problem prevents you from undertaking the activity.

Regards

Derek

Thanks Derek

The other question driving me mad was "Do you have a set routine every day?" I can now see this was about dealing with change and I know I would have scored some points here as dealing with many types of change does cause me great difficulty e.g. if my mum changes the time we're going to eat that day. But again I just answered "no" because I don't actually have a set routine that applies every day. And again there was no follow up question even though I put stuff down on my ESA50 in that section.

Derek4 wrote:

In all honesty I don't know the difference between panic attacks and anxiety attacks, if there is any, but for the purpose of the WCA the words used to describe the problem are not so important. You should score points if the problem prevents you from undertaking the activity.

A panic attack is a culmination of a prolonged acute anxiety attack which is normally much more intense, and although not harmful, it is extremely unpleasant and can take hours to fully subside.

Crazydiamond wrote:

A panic attack is a culmination of a prolonged acute anxiety attack which is normally much more intense, and although not harmful, it is extremely unpleasant and can take hours to fully subside.

In that case I would say that I do get panic attacks in social situations. Do you need a specialist to diagnose that you have panic attacks or can your GP do it?