Hello!! After a very lengthily submission, im pleased to say I WON. My advice? Follow all the steps others have advised. Be completely open with them and yourself. I personally had to face & admit to myself how much help I actually needed everyday. Which has helped me accept what I have and In many ways I'm in a better place than I was Good luck :)

Im going through the same nightmare. Only at a further stage, im applealing. My argument was I want the support to get back into work, but I hear you dont get any where if you say you want to get better?? Such a floored system it really is not fit for purpose. And is seems as if non of them understand depression & anxiety, its not something thats easy to bring up and explain how you feel. Wish you all the best hun. Sorry for the rant!! Holly

Still no slepp I cant switch off, all im doing it thinking, stressing and worrying. Along with doubting myself wether I can fight this? I feel physically ill from the stress I just dony know what to do with myself

Sorry! Promise I was not intending to shout any thing Holly

Your not alone!!!!!! Iv found the 'rethink' web link a endless help in preparing for my tribunal. Listen to the fantasic advice from the people on here as well, they are all lovely people. Good luck with the forms All the best Holly

Hello Wondering if you can help? Im going through exacly the same, same condition. I cant go any where myself not even to put the bins out I offen stay in doors weeks at a time due to anxiety & depression. Im currently working on the massive amount of papers. I have my partner and support worker to come to the tribunal with me. All the stress is making me really ill!! How was it? Was it as bad as you feared? I want this support to get back into work and learn how to control my anxiety, I no its possible to live with this condition im hoping with the right help and support I can get better. Any help or adivce you can give me would be fantastic. Its so nice to speak to someone that understands what its like not to be able to leave the house alone. Also that has the same frustrations with 'Atos' not understanding mental conditions. Many thanks Holly PS well done on the win!!!!!!

PS..... please accept my apology for the poor use of the forum tools, im still new and finding my way around Also with the stress and no sleep im not on my best form!! Lol Too add to that my laptop is down so im using the Ipad which im usless at hahaha lol Holly :smash: Have my smilies worked!? Lol:???:

WOW !!!! My head is allllllllll kinds of crazy at the moment lol super stressed and all over the place!! Not to mention the pounding headaches!!! Where do I start?...... since I last spoke to you I had to see my GP the stress is effecting me so bad. Shes perscribed me some sleeping tablets to help me un wind at night. She also checked my blood pressure.... which shes worried about as im only 25 and its high, some thing iv never suffered with till all this stress of the tribunal. Then my old support worker (my fairy god mother I call her) got in contact with me and is making a statement for me to submitt!! And she also managed to get in contact with my current support worker (YAY) who has ensurred her he will help me and also attend the tribunal with me!! He then called me (for a hour) going through the research he had done on appeals and I also told him of all the wonderful help iv received on here So my partner and support worker WILL be coming with me to the tribunal. Now.... I have managed to read all I can with the links you have all gave me (thank you) I have started with the letter HB has provided on her appeal forum, and iv listed the descriptors which apply to me and the points relevant to me including the reasons why. I still have descriptor 15. Getting about. This is the big one that applies to me also, im yet to tackle this one!! My evidence isnt as comprehensive tho :/ For example iv roughly wrote the below with out the poor spelling and grammer lol.... DESCRIPTOR 14 - COPING WITH CHANGE. IT IS STATED 'NON OF THE ABOVE APPLY' CC (d) WHICH I FEEL HAS BEEN OVER LOOKED ..... Carried on with my reasons...... THEREFOR I BELIEVE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTOR BELOW IS MORE RELEVANT TO MY CONDITION ...... Copied the descriptor..... Few questions. 1) once I have completed the descriptors what is my next step? - collect statement from support worker (old and new)? - ask doctor monday for letter? 2) should I try post this evidence all together before Thursday if possible? When I spoke to the tribunal service on the phone they said if I cant get it posted with enough time then arrive early and hand it in? 3) im scared im missing some thing big out? Big thank you again for your help, cant help feeling silly for not tackling this earlier im usually much more prepared, not that iv ever been through this before. I really did under estimate all the paper work. Hopfully my experience can help others prepare much earlier, instead of just worrying and stressing get stuck into them papers and kick a**!!!!!!!!!! Holly

Just a quick note to say a big thank you to all of you wonderful people for you replies and endless help!!!!! I really would be lost if I hadnt have found this site today. Great news is, iv finally managed to get my thoughts togeather, with your help and web links and iv made a start on which discriptors apply to me. Im sure tackling this bit by bit I will be able to gather all my evidence ect to agrue my case. Unfortunately I dont have anyone professional to help since my support was a 'no show'. My partner is doing all he can to help, so im not totally alone. With out meaning to sound chessy, you have all resorted my faith. They truly are still wonderful people out there to lend a hand when you need it most. Im going to try un-wind for the night andbget more done tomorrow. Thank you again. Night night all Holly

Thank you. I have had a look at directgov doctument. Its very comprehensive, I will do my best to make sense of it. I didnt have any help with ESA50, I filled this in myself, which I struggled with. I struggle putting my words, thoughts and feelings down. Explaining myself. No I have no other evidence as of yet. I was relying on my support worker to help me with this. I know I have a strong case, its just a matter of putting it down and being prepared. Im totally out of my depth, I cant get my head around it. This is what my support worker was supposed to help me with I wasnt expecting for a professional support worker to let me down. Holly

Sorry im new to this, how do I find the link? Whats a 'stikky'? Also what do you mean about 'being on of them'? My brain isnt working to well at the moment lol. I am starting to feel a little hope now though, which is all down to this forum thank you Holly

Thank you so, so much for your replies. I'm going to get stuck into making my case tonight. My partner is coming with me. I was awarded 6 points for getting about, that was the only points I got. I have got a copy of the medical report. It paints a picture of someone who is lazy and 'doesn't get dressed because she can't be bother'. Reading the report really gets me angry I'm not the person I'm made out to be in that report, she didnt take into account how depression and anxiety affects me daily. That's roughly what I wrote when I sent my appeal, a year ago. I don't want to claim this benefit for the money or to sit doing nothing, I am desperate for the help and support I want to get back to work. I just need the help to do it, which is what the benefit is for right? 'Employment & support' Thank you so much for helping me through this it really is greatly appreciated. Holly

Hello. My names Holly. I have joined this group today in a last minute plea for help. Long story short - I appealed against ESA Decision that I am 'fit to work' I have had my tribunal date throught, which is on 18th April. I have a 'support worker' who is supposed to be helping me prepare my case against the desision but unfortantly although all the promises have been made he has failed to turn up to any appointments so im left completely out of my depth to deal with this alone. I am so stressed I cant even function. I have no clue on where to even start. As like many ohers it is my metal health which has been over looked by 'Atso' I have depression, anxiety and stuffer with panic attacks - to the extent I cant even leave my home alone, I can stay with in these four walls for weeks at a time. My question is, 1) How do I prepare, where do I start? Please if anyone could help I would really really apprechiate it:!: