Work related PTSD

Hi all
It has been going around in my head how to fully logically explain to the DWP that one of my conditions which is PTSD brought about by events at work means that their contact with me about work has a dreadful affect on my health.

I just cannot think of a reasonable way in which to explain that work being associated to the trauma makes it impossible for me to even discuss returning to a work situation ever again without feeling suicidal!It also makes me have very disturbing aggressive thoughts about the people responsible for my being in this situation. The migration process for me that I am going through at the moment is making me relive the trauma over and over again continually without a seconds break.

I have had extensive therapy which was excellent but reached as far as it could,and thankfully with the right medication left me managing to keep the symptoms under control to a certain extent.However, like many others on here this migration process is putting all the good work out the window!

I was awarded an indefinate award of Industrial Injury benefit for work related PTSD, I wonder if it is worth me directing them to that fact during this awful process of being transferred from I.B. to E.S.A.? The ATOS person could clearly see that work was not going to be an option for me, as recovery from what happened was unlikely to ever happen.

Thanks in anticipation of any advice,I know I have asked a lot today.

michelle3434 wrote:

Hi all
It has been going around in my head how to fully logically explain to the DWP that one of my conditions which is PTSD brought about by events at work means that their contact with me about work has a dreadful affect on my health.

I just cannot think of a reasonable way in which to explain that work being associated to the trauma makes it impossible for me to even discuss returning to a work situation ever again without feeling suicidal!It also makes me have very disturbing aggressive thoughts about the people responsible for my being in this situation. The migration process for me that I am going through at the moment is making me relive the trauma over and over again continually without a seconds break.

I have had extensive therapy which was excellent but reached as far as it could,and thankfully with the right medication left me managing to keep the symptoms under control to a certain extent.However, like many others on here this migration process is putting all the good work out the window!

I was awarded an indefinate award of Industrial Injury benefit for work related PTSD, I wonder if it is worth me directing them to that fact during this awful process of being transferred from I.B. to E.S.A.? The ATOS person could clearly see that work was not going to be an option for me, as recovery from what happened was unlikely to ever happen.

Thanks in anticipation of any advice,I know I have asked a lot today.

Hi M3434,

For what it is worth, the only advice that I could give is to make it as clear as possible how the resulting symptoms and limitations qualify you for an award of ESA, in whichever group that you feel you qualify for.

You should use any evidence that strengthens your claim of meeting said criteria, and remember, it is not the condition itself that qualifies a claimant for an award of ESA, it is the resulting limitations/disabilities that must fulfill the descriptors or Exceptional Circumstances.

cheers

bro58

Hi bro58

Your words are very helpful,and mean a lot.

On the ESA50 I will write it as it is,and not hold back on how I feel. Your reply and especially the last bit of advice about limitations/disabilities makes me not feel so paranoid about explaining why work is impossible. Running it around in my own head made it all seem so ridiculous,but your right it's not about the PTSD its about me and how I am affected.

Thank you very much,and I now feel so relieved,and not as ashamed as I did about explaining why I cannot return or even discuss returning to work.

Many thanks

bro

sorry but may i butt in here & ask a question please.

i am submitting additional evidence as part of my appeal in the form of a letter from my psychiatrist. he states i have problems with 5 of the support group descriptors & list which 5 but doesnt say how they limit me on a day to day basis.
should i go into detail & say exactly how they effect me on a day to day basis?
i feel i have already done this on the ESA50 questions, but should i go into detail against the specific descriptors, or is it enough that my psychiatrist says i have trouble with... coping with change, coping with social situations... & so on & so forth??

many thanks

martin

greeneyedlad wrote:

bro

sorry but may i butt in here & ask a question please.

i am submitting additional evidence as part of my appeal in the form of a letter from my psychiatrist. he states i have problems with 5 of the support group descriptors & list which 5 but doesnt say how they limit me on a day to day basis.
should i go into detail & say exactly how they effect me on a day to day basis?
i feel i have already done this on the ESA50 questions, but should i go into detail against the specific descriptors, or is it enough that my psychiatrist says i have trouble with... coping with change, coping with social situations... & so on & so forth??

many thanks

martin

Hi GEL,

Anything that you feel will strengthen your claim of meeting the SG criteria can only help.

cheers

bro58

Good luck with filling in your form, and far from butting in everyone's responses are valid as it all adds to the bigger picture.
I see bro 58 has given you good advice as he did for me,and as I replied i shall be holding nothing back and getting all the facts down.