Hello, I'm just looking for some advice about filling in my medical form for ESA, I'm on medication for depression/anxiety and I know that when I go to the assessment I will most likely be asked what has caused it and I just want to know how honest I can be, the main reason as to why I feel the way I do was being brought up around domestic violence and that was something that was never reported to the law or anything and it all happened when I was much younger, if I say these things will it be taken further? I don't want further stress to deal with and I'm just worried that making it known will cause trouble, I could be over thinking it but I just want to know if anyone knows that the information given is private and only passed around the medical professionals/dwp? even typing this was tough, it's not something I've ever spoken about either so I'm sure when I do have to talk about it, it won't be easy.

I was also going to ask, is it okay to staple extra paper to the form that is to be sent back or has the information got to fit on the form? there's not a lot of space and I know the back of the booklet has a full page but I write quite big and don't think it will fit in that area.

I also meant to ask, i've been referred to therapy by my gp but he said the average wait time is 5-6 months, should I add that into the form that i'm awaiting that kind of treatment even though i've not been yet? or would they not take that into account because i've not been?

No one has any advice?

The ATOS medical is strictly for the purpose of assessing your ESA claim. Information you give them should be used only for that reason. So if you are asked about the cause of your depression, and you give a generic answer like "I was exposed to domestic violence" then no, it won't be taken further.

The ostensible purpose of the ATOS medical is to assess your condition as it is now, and how it affects your ability to work. It's not a medical assessment in the normally understood sense, and it's certainly not an investigation into your past.

There are many problems with the ESA medical process, though, and people here may be able to share the benefit of their experience in how best to handle it (I can't - I was an ESA processer, not a claimant), but I don't think that you should be worried about DWP sharing your information inappropriately. At least, not in this case.

You can staple extra sheets onto the ESA50 form. On each one write your name, NI number and an explanation of what you've written, like "John Smith, AB 01 23 45 C, Answer to question 20 of form ESA50."

I don't know about the wait for your therapy, but I would suggest that you include any information that could possibly help your case, so yes, the fact that you've been referred for treatment is relevant.

Hi Alex, my advice to you would be... be as "transparent" and honest as you possibly can and try not to over-evaluate it too much. I had my ATOS medical done at my house as i have anxiety/agoraphobia, and he did ask some prying questions about it. though i think this is necessary now due to the amount of people claiming anxiety and the amount of people who ACTUALLY have it, they have to figure out whos genuine somehow.

But dont worry about the medical too much, if you find it hard to speak about certain things then they will probably notice this and it will only make you appear more genuine, after all, avoidance is a common mechanism for anxiety sufferers.

hope this was some help, take care and let us know how you get on:-)