I hope someone might be able to help me.

I have borderline personality disorder diagnosed 3 years ago after a crisis which led me to being put on ESA without the need for a face to face interview.

I am now due a reassessment on 2nd Jan which I have to attend

the stress of worrying about it has triggered a deterioration in my mental health

I now feel I am on the verge of a crisis.

I live on my own and have no real support.

Is it worth me phoning Maximus, will they listen?

If not can someone advise me please.

I have a letter from my Psychologist (who has now left the NHS so I can no longer see her) and my GP is in the process of writing one.

I think I messed up my reassessment form as I filled it in on my own whilst in a panic just to get it done and gone as I couldn't deal with thinking about it.

I feel fragile vulnerable and sort of out of control.

Call the number on the appointment letter, you are allowed to change the appointment once.

They don't want to know why usually, it should give you time to get your GP's letter.

I've found my MP's office to be useful in getting things sorted when it comes to DWP stuff.

Might be worth calling or emailing them and see what they can do for you.

Thanks Hillards for the reply.

If I postpone I will prolong the anxiety which will only make things worse.

The GPs letter will be ready in time,

my problem is that my mental health is rapidly deteriorating with the fear of the assessment and outcome as not able to express myself well.

I just phoned Maximus to explain that this is making me ill but the call handler wouldn't let me speak to anyone medically trained and informed me that my appointment has been put back to the 19th Jan which is even worse.

Can my GP request that I am given a paper assessment on the grounds of my deteriorating mental health?

Have a look at post #2 here https://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/11795/

In considering what amounts to social engagement in activity 16 in schedule 2 and activity 13 in schedule 3, Judge Gray refers to CE/4183/2012. She agrees that it is insufficient to use mere attendance at a medical – or for medical treatment generally – as definitive of an ability to engage in social contact. She goes on to say –

 

‘... to effect treatment for a mental health condition, one may be able to summon up reserves to attend such an appointment that may not be sufficient in relation to a test which is of the ability to perform an activity reliably and repeatedly.’ (paragraph 18)

So attending a ESA WCA is not any indication that you don't have the issues you do!

Personally I stock up the freezer, take the hit then argue the above at appeal!

It's less stressful for me so better but... we are all different so what's good for you?

But I genuinely feel unable to cope with the process at all never mind an appeal.

Please can someone help me I have mental health issues and am in a state of very high anxiety and have been for weeks.

I am worried I won't be able to explain myself well or possibly miss things out due my panic.

Am I allowed to take notes in with me?

Also do they photocopy all my medical letters?

I am really panicking.

Please can someone help me?

Hello there.

I don't see why you shouldn't take notes in with you.

With your medical information, I'm not sure if they photocopy them or not. Are you able to copy them yourself? I certainly wouldn't part with the originals.

HB

I've merged your threads on ESA.

HB

you thread says the 19th jan?

did it get moved fwd then?

Thanks for the replies.

My appointment was originally scheduled for the 2nd Jan then it got postponed till the 19th which made my anxiety so much worse as the whole thing is really making me ill, so I phoned and got an earlier appointment.

Anyway I have been and now feel there are so many important points I left out as I was in such a state of anxiety.

Is it worth me contacting DWP to tell them I was in such a state that I feel I missed out important information and even got in such a muddle with my medical letters that I am not sure what I gave them and what I didn't.

Hello again.

Please wait for others to advise, but I think you may need to wait until you receive the decision letter.

What did you take with you on the day and do they have copies of it?

HB

Thanks HB.

I took loads of letters but the person that came with me decided we should get copies of them ourselves on the way to the assessment and thats where things went wrong. I had them all in order and knew what was where having spent ages doing it for days before but I got so confused after that and couldn't cope so now I think some letters weren't handed in.

My friend was trying to help but I don't think even she realised how much time I had spent organising the letters and making sure they were all there.

I am relieved to say that I got my letter today and I have been put back in the SG ESA.

I hope this post helps someone, sometimes you are given the right help without the need for MR or Appeals.

I have found the whole process so difficult but I had a good and fair outcome.

Well done Kally, I'm really pleased for you.

I'll update your thread title, thank you for coming back to tell us.

HB