- Posts: 51287
× Members
BIPOLAR DISORDER ESA CLAIM
- shelleyann
- Topic Author
11 years 11 months ago - 11 years 11 months ago #103175 by shelleyann
BIPOLAR DISORDER ESA CLAIM was created by shelleyann
Hi! I have received my ESA50 form and am due to post it next week. Thank goodness for the form guides on this site.
My main worry is that for a lot of the questions I ticked it varies and then attached sheets with more information. Obviously with Bipolar Disorder it is very hard to answer these questions as my problems differ depending on my mood. I have heard that when IT VARIES is ticked, the candidate automatically gets 0 points! DO they even read the extra information?
I am, to put it mildly. freaking out. I stopped seeing the psychiatrist last year as it is pointless. I discussed this with the psychiatrist saying that there is nothing more they can do for me and the anxiety and stress that I suffer with before each appointment is too much for me to tolerate. I also said that I just have come to the conclusion that I have to accept my condition and do the best I can. The psychiatrist agreed. I do not see my GP as there is nothing they can do for me. They do not have a magic wand to wave my condition away. Also, when I do see a GP, it is never the same person.
I am also worried because, as I said to the psychiatrist, when I am at my worst I do not leave the house and therefore the only time a GP or psychiatrist sees me is when my mood is better! I am going to see a GP before I post my ESA form to discuss my condition. I had a GP appointment last week but didn't attend as I couldn't face it - my anxiety and depression, since receiving the form, has increased 10 fold. I am basically falling apart. I cannot cope with it and all the confusion and worry over losing my benefits.
Sorry this is so long-winded. Has anyone had experience of Mental Health conditions that vary? How did your claim go? Any advice?
My main worry is that for a lot of the questions I ticked it varies and then attached sheets with more information. Obviously with Bipolar Disorder it is very hard to answer these questions as my problems differ depending on my mood. I have heard that when IT VARIES is ticked, the candidate automatically gets 0 points! DO they even read the extra information?
I am, to put it mildly. freaking out. I stopped seeing the psychiatrist last year as it is pointless. I discussed this with the psychiatrist saying that there is nothing more they can do for me and the anxiety and stress that I suffer with before each appointment is too much for me to tolerate. I also said that I just have come to the conclusion that I have to accept my condition and do the best I can. The psychiatrist agreed. I do not see my GP as there is nothing they can do for me. They do not have a magic wand to wave my condition away. Also, when I do see a GP, it is never the same person.
I am also worried because, as I said to the psychiatrist, when I am at my worst I do not leave the house and therefore the only time a GP or psychiatrist sees me is when my mood is better! I am going to see a GP before I post my ESA form to discuss my condition. I had a GP appointment last week but didn't attend as I couldn't face it - my anxiety and depression, since receiving the form, has increased 10 fold. I am basically falling apart. I cannot cope with it and all the confusion and worry over losing my benefits.
Sorry this is so long-winded. Has anyone had experience of Mental Health conditions that vary? How did your claim go? Any advice?
Last edit: 11 years 11 months ago by Gordon.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Gordon
- Offline
Less More
11 years 11 months ago - 11 years 11 months ago #103180 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic BIPOLAR DISORDER ESA CLAIM
SA
It is a fallacy that ticking "it varies" results in no points, but it does require both the ATOS assessor and the DWP Decision Maker to use their brains, so it can be challenging for them
It will depend on how you have explained your problems, but if you have done this in detail, there should be no reason why you should not score points against these descriptors.
Remember, when you are considering a variable condition, even a mental health one, your starting point should be how you are the majority of the time, so if you meet the criteria 13 hours a day, 4 days out of 7, 3 weeks out of 4, etc., then any variation should be considered within these limits, not across the whole day, week, month...
Gordon
It is a fallacy that ticking "it varies" results in no points, but it does require both the ATOS assessor and the DWP Decision Maker to use their brains, so it can be challenging for them

It will depend on how you have explained your problems, but if you have done this in detail, there should be no reason why you should not score points against these descriptors.
Remember, when you are considering a variable condition, even a mental health one, your starting point should be how you are the majority of the time, so if you meet the criteria 13 hours a day, 4 days out of 7, 3 weeks out of 4, etc., then any variation should be considered within these limits, not across the whole day, week, month...
Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Last edit: 11 years 11 months ago by Gordon.
The following user(s) said Thank You: shelleyann
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Gordon, Gary, BIS, Catherine, Wendy, Kelly, greekqueen, peter, Katherine, Super User, Chris, David