actually you'll find that you should mention "on my worst days" often, and if someone is completing the form for you thats the kind of question that they ask you

I just read your post (I took the time to read it hehe) lets see if we can help (should be able to as I've been through this minefield myself) step 1 get assessed by a psychiatrist (not a mental health nurse) I see you've been referred to your local community mental health team, sometimes (depending on the health authority) you only get assessed by a cpn (mental health nurse) demand to see a psychiatrist & don't get fobbed off, take someone with you if you find it difficult at the moment to deal with things, you should have a local mental health charity that provides an advocacy service (usually mind). 2 at your assessment ask for a cpn to be assigned to you...this makes everything a LOT easier when dealing with authorities etc. 3 ask for a care assessment, it sounds like you have this going through at the moment as you have a social worker, but it should have been specifically discussed with you 4 consider counselling or talking therapy or cbt in the long term. It does help especially with things like panic attacks & negative thinking. the docs will address getting you well again and the cpn & social worker should address getting you help until you are well again. Benefits. 1 crisis loan - if you have no money & no food then you should be eligible for a crisis loan, you have to stress that you have NO money & NO food left, you'll only be eligible to the same amount of money that the dss think you should have left until your next payment so just under a weeks worth, and they can be a bit funny if you already have outstanding loans if you do obtain one then you'd need to collect it in person at your local jobcentre. 2 esa...in my opinion, you're not able to work atm so should qualify for esa, do the claim, they'll ask for supporting evidence so letter from doctor, psychiatrist, cpn, all will be sent as that, cpn goes down as care programme coordinator usually. you won't be able to bypass the medical usually (theres only a limited number of conditions that can do) esa 50 (i think it's called that) - the form you complete before the assessment/medical this is VERY IMPORTANT, you should be extremely careful how you complete this form, it's usually best to seek help completing it, again there should be a local comunity advice place that will help you & also represent you if needed should you have to appeal. there are guides on the internet on how to complete the form for different conditions eg .nawra.org.uk/Documents/Cardiff_Mar_10/Fit%20for%20Purpose%20%20A%20Guide%20to%20Completing%20the%20ESA50.pdf you have to reach a certain number of qualifying points according to the answers you give make sure you put down everything as if on your worst day & take someone to the medical with you, eg advocate or cpn or social worker etc Don't forget housing benefit & council tax benefit either. DLA - the purpose of dla is to help with the costs of long term illness & care resulting from it the major thing of the dla form is the way that it's completed, all questions should be answered as if on your worst day, & some questions will automatically qualify you for dla at some level depending on how you answer them, eg you don't cook a hot meal or are at risk of leaving things on the cooker, are unable to go places due to anxiety & panic attacks. Once again, it's really important that the form is completed corectly, so seek assistance, they have the expertise to make your application much more successful. get the form sent to you asap as the claim goes from when they sent the form to you. Hope this has helped.. There Is light at the end of the tunnel, and there is help available, you just have to ask for it. There's nothing shameful in asking for help, especially when you're ill.