h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I hope all went well yesterday. Do drop by and let us know.

Websailor

Sorry, I should have posted what happened!
It was a bit of an anti-climax as it turned out to just be an assement, okay it took nearly an hour and a half, but an assessment by a mental health social worker it was. She did however say see will recomend I see a shrink at the big meetings they have after assessments. It was nice to talk to someone in that field and to talk about my history and even make a few jokes about depresion smelling, literally for me at on point,lol! She did say some of the things I have been doing, like spotting my behaviour, like manic cleaning at times, is abnormal and correcting myself.
There is however a waiting list to see proper shrinks so I will have to join the queue!
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Fortunately, or unfortunately depending how you look at it, I had quite a bad manic/panic attack moment during most of assessment, which helped my case,lol!

Hi SS
I know your panic attacks must be awful, but it's good she witnessed what you have to cope with, it really should help you see someone quicker.
I decided to see a counsellor privately in the end (£30.00 for 45 mins), couldn't really afford it, but I felt so poorly at the time didn't feel able to wait.
I really hope you don't have to wait too long, I'm sure you'll find it beneficial to talk to someone on a regular basis who understands what you're going through. Someone that will listen to you and not judge you, and hopefully they'll help you to start to understand why, when,how,who,where?????
It's a long old road, and it's not easy, but as I often tell myself, it's necessary if we want to stop just about surviving each day, and allow us to really start LIVING
Take good care
jutimskip

As if things were not bad enough already, today I got a letter from the DSS along with a large form to fill in, which they want to know what my illness is along with other questions asking why I can not work any more
I have decided to take the form to our doctors clinic to fill in the physical reasons, and then to the therapist to answer the physiological ones!
What really annoys me about this, is the fact that the government spends all this effort and money to get the disabled back into work, yet there are thousands of fit folk out there who are in their twenties that have never had a job in their lives
Smudger.

Smudger,

You are not on your own there. It is bullying to my mind. They already know what the problems are, yet they are hounding people like you, and others I know, instead of going after the slackers who never intended to work.

Aren't you exempt, as your wife's Carer, or is it different in Scotland?

You have more than paid your dues in life, more than most, so I hope it all gets sorted quickly. Try not to let it get you down, they seem to be doing it to an awful lot of people.



Websailor

SS, sorry it didn't turn out as you hoped. I hope you don't have to wait too long to see someone.

Websailor

Hi WS, Even though I do look after Mk2 as much as I can, she has not got a carer as such
I receive DLA for mobility and incapacity benefits for my back injury, ever since my accident 7 years ago, but recently have been receiving therapy for PTSD that they say I have, and the depression and anxiety that comes with it. So I will get as much help as I can with filling these forms in. I do believe that they are trying to get me back into work, and I don't really think I am up to that yet?
Smudger.

Hi Smudger,

Sorry to hear you are being harrassed by DSS.I've had experience of both sides, my husband claiming inc benefit (accident at work, he's okay now) but the DSS stopped benefit before he had fully recovered.

Also I worked in local Citizens Advice Bureau, and we actually had a couple of advisers that dealt with helping people complete forms, and even preparing cases for appeals.
The forms need to be filled in with only the facts, not too much detail, try not to talk about the things that are starting to improve as they don't understand that a couple of good days could then be followed by months of very bad days!
Hope it all goes well
Take care
jutimskip

Hi Jutimskip, yea! I know about the CAB, they helped me fill in original forms for the DLA, I might have to make an appointment with them again, if the doctor or the therapist can not help me with filling it in?
Its just typical that the letter arrived on a Saturday as that means I have the weekend to worry about it, I cant seem to settle down at all now, as I am so worried about it all
Smudger.

Oh, dear, another one worrying about DLA. Someone needs a for all the upset they are causing. I believe in weeding out malingers and wasters, but it seems to me they are picking on the easy targets.

Smudger, can you get a Carer's Allowance in Scotland? If there is one and you haven't tried, you should. Don't be proud, With Mark ll's health problems you would be designated an official carer down here, I am sure.

Try and treat the weekend as a rest from the problem, about which you can do nothing until Monday. Easier said than done but it is worth a try

Take care, thinking of you both,


Websailor

Smudger, like WS said try not let it worry you both, you'll get it all sorted take the medical evidence you get from your gp and therapist to the CAB, get them to make sure the form is completed with all the relevant details needed to tick all the boxes required by the DSS.
Get as much help as possible from the experts, that's what they're there for, hopefully the support will ease the amount of stress this is causing you both.
They're just not worth worrying about, you have rights and entitlements, so follow the professional advice, don't waste energy worrying about the DSS, save your energy for getting on with living your lives and enjoying the rest of your weekend.

Thanks for posts folks, I appreciate them I was at the doctor today and showed him the form and what I had written, he said that everything would be OK as he gets the form sent to him from the DSS, so that made me feel better.

Then the therapist phoned to cancel today's appointment as she is off sick, but asked me to send her the form and she would fill in the psychology section of it for me, so that took a great weight off my shoulders

So I now feel a lot better about it now, the doctor did tell me that ALL Gps are being sent new directives from the department of health, telling them about the new rules on sick lines and folk on incapacity benefit, and to cut back on claimants? Anyway, I feel better knowing that I am receiving such support, so I can now concentrate on trying to look after Mk2

PS If we do accept help from the O/Health folk we have to pay £11.50 an hour for the cleaners services

Smudger. So we will give that a miss, for as long as we can

I am glad things are looking better for you Smudger. It sounds as if you are getting good support which must be a relief.

There was a chunk in our paper today about what the Govt. is expecting GPs to do, and while I am in agreement with them trying to get slackers off benefit, they are expecting an awful lot from doctors. Their loyalties are supposed to be to their patients not the Govt. After all we pay their salaries



Websailor

Hi Smudger,
really glad to hear things are looking better, regarding DSS form, and that you're getting good support from the healthcare professionals.
Also, good to hear that the level of stress you're feeling has lessened.
Hoping it all works out now for you both, and try not to worry too much, because it doesn't do any good, all it does is upset you more and affect your health.
Take good care
Jutimskip

Hi to WS & SS, hoping you are both well

Hi, Jutimskip, I'm fine, apart from the usual grey weather . Shouldn't be here really, but it beats what I should be doing

Websailor

Aye! I posted the form yesterday to the therapist, so when she sends it back I can get it in as soon as I get it back. Must admit its a load off my mind
Yea! it seems that they are putting more responsibility on to the doctors as to who is unfit for work, and now asking them to tell employers what the patient is capable of doing rather than just issue a sick note?
Smudger.

Smudger,

I wonder how many employers would consider people with mental or physical problems which meant they could only attend work intermittently, or only do part of a job. With so many people recently unemployed (and it is getting worse by the day) I doubt any employer would consider it.

So where are all these jobs for 'enabled' people to come from Oh, and how would they be expected to live on what would probably amount to half pay? They really haven't thought it through. Full of ideas, but expecting other people to carry them out

Glad things are sounding better for you.

Websailor

Yea! Exactly WS, its a hair brained idea, putting disabled folk on courses to jobs that don't exist

The therapist called me yesterday, but I could not talk much as I don't wan Mk2 to know about them problems? I have put up this front and Mk2 thinks I am OK?
The therapist reckons that with me watching Mk2 slowly getting worse, has an effect on me, which adds even more problems.
Smudger.

I have the proper pucker shrink appointment in a couple of weeks. I knew the letter that arrived this morning was about Phychiatrist as in a buff brown envelope with writing not often seen, the Christmas stamp was a nice touch and nearly had me fooled,lol!
It will be odd going there as end of road really, or start depending how you look at it, an odd Christmas present anyway!
.
I have been up and down like a yo yo lately, hyper manic one minute, down the next. I have my own ominous thoughts of why that is, however I am hoping a change of meds might do the trick as there are many sideffects to my anti-depresant which could exagerate what I have already, panic attacks, anxiety, etc.
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Whatever is causing the symptoms if I ever do get back to work I am buggered if I want to find a new job in next couple of years as they ask for sickness history in last 2 years and 6 months off with mental health problems won't have them rushing to give me an interview,lol.
.
Still, thank God it will soon be Christmas,lol!

Smudger, I am so sorry Mark ll is getting slowly worse. I can understand why you are keeping things from her. I was told to keep PHM's stress levels as low as possible, but it isn't easy. Things distress them so much more than usual don't they?

You will have to explain to your therapist that you cannot discuss your problems on the phone, for fear of making matters worse. I am sure she will understand. Fortunately I can take the phone somewhere else in the house, or outside if necessary.

Whatever your own health is like, you could not leave her, and they could not expect you to do so.

Take care Websailor

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SS, Definitely think of your appointment as a beginning, as finding the cause might help with finding the right medication too. As for six months off with mental health problems, that is exactly my point - even the most sympathetic employer is going to think twice, with so many problems for businesses, and so many already out of work. I agree with Smudger, the whole idea is hare-brained!

I hope it helps. Keep us posted. I think sharing stuff does help other people a bit.

As for Christmas, I shall be glad when it is over. I don't look forward to it these days - too much hassle and tension, and PHM is a real wet blanket!!

Take care Websailor