Atos industrial injury medical PTSD

[Harry Flash]

Firstly thanks in advance anyone who has taken the trouble to read this thread .

 

I've read with interest the many threads on ATOS and just thought I'd post my situation for anyones thoughts , advice comments , reassurances or just generally what to expect as I'm understandably finding the whole thing a big nerve wracking .

 

Approximately 10 years ago whilst working I was involved in a fairly traumatic incident that led to me being diagnosed with ptsd . Several other subsequent similar but significantly less serious incidents occurred but I continued through my life although intermittently receiving some counselling . With the help of other I received recognition of my actions and also criminal injuries compensation for PTSD. Although I never registered it as an industrial injury .

 

Several years ago I was involved , outside work in another incident (how lucky am I ?!!) and that led to what several psychiatrists including mine , my former employers and an independent agreed was a 'recurrence ' of my existing PTSD related directly to the incident mentioned earlier in this post. I left work but some time later with the help of family and friends received a moderate pension from my former employer based on the 'recurrence' of my PTSD .

 

I haven't worked since but somebody mentioned that it may be covered by industrial injury . I submitted my claim approximately 2 months ago and i've now been given a date for my medical .Prior to this there has been no other interaction from the submission of my claim. I'm on quite a lot of medication and have been for several years I've had a number of both private and nhs counselling for PTSD and the last nhs course recommended I needed further counselling in the future . I have a huge array of documentation from various sources all of which deal with my ptsd the symptoms I can happily list of required but I obviously feel a bit embarrassed talking/typing about . Suffice to say they're fairly 'traditional' with flashbacks , hyper vigilance and anger issues being my particular problems .

 

Because of my issues I hugely overthink things and massively worry about things like this something that surprises people given my appearance . So I've thought about posting here a lot over the last few weeks until I plucked up the courage and damned the avoidance today !!

 

I'm just wondering what to expect ? Is it normal not to have had any other contact other than submitting my form along with a rambling 5 page letter and a huge medical 'dossier' . I feel like medically my GP (whose amazing ) and 3 psychiatrists supporting my position must surely be helpful but I've no idea if that makes any difference ?

 

Anyway apologies for the disjointed post , hopefully if there is a reply maybe it'll give me something concrete to form my response to. Thanks to anybody whose taken the time to read it as well .

 

H

[Harry Flash]

Appreciate it was rambling , non-specific and unworthy of response .

[*RainbowTears*]

Appreciate it was rambling , non-specific and unworthy of response .

 

Hi Harry,

First of all, welcome to CAG..

 

Secondly you are not rambling, nor are you not worthy of a response..

 

We do have a lot of CAGers who will emphasise with you, as I do myself.

 

It's taken a while it appears, to pluck the courage to post looking for help. There's your first step, well done.

 

I understand PTSD only too well, so I do get what your saying & how your feeling. There's other CAGers on here who will as well.

 

Now I can't help you with specifics relating to ATOS medicals & the like. But again there are quite a few on here who will be able to help you, they will be along as & when they can.

 

Whilst you await responses, have a look around the forum.

 

Good luck!

[oleg]

Welcome on board Harry. Like Rainbow I'm not an expert on ATOS but am all too familiar with the realities of living with PTSD, so can sympathise with your situation.

 

At the moment your no. 1 concern is - understandably - ATOS, so not appropriate to muddy the waters by going into detail about PTSD. However let me just make one remark. Please do not let medics, social workers, assessors or the like drum you into the condition of Learned Helplessness where the PTSD takes over and rules your life. Too much probing and attention are debilitating and can be as harmful as too little.

 

Support of three psychiatrists and your G P can only work in your favour. You're fortunate to have an understanding G P.

 

I won't say more here cos it's not my field. Just wanted to offer some moral support.

 

Oleg

[Harry Flash]

Had my assessment and I felt it went ok. However during the assessment the doctor used their phone on a number of occasions to text a family member , also said that they hadn't had time to read my file as it was "very challenging " but that they'd read my 'personal statement ' and would "try and have a quick look" through the file before they submitted their report . In total fairness was told I'd only have 20 minutes but was in there nearly an hour .

 

As I say I think it went ok and they seemed very sympathetic but I've obviously noted all of the above in case things don't go well because I would pursue it. I've also noted some personal details they provided in chatting about their family members that would substantiate my claims (otherwise how would I know ?).

 

Anyway just felt like I should post , not sure why but nobody else in my life even knows ive gone to this & I suppose I wanted to talk about it .

[honeybee13]

Hello there and thank you for updating your thread.

 

It does sound very odd about the person texting during your assessment, not professional in my view unless it was something very urgent. How could they concentrate on you?

 

I suppose this wasn't recorded, was it?

 

As you say, time will tell. Fingers crossed.

 

HB

[Harry Flash]

Sadly no it wasn't recorded.

 

It certainly wasn't urgent as I know exactly what it was about as they discussed the soecifics , they checked their phone twice and replied once and also answered it , possibly in error when seeking to end a call . As I say soecifics were discussed that would certainly support any appeal if that's the position I found myself in and if that's the way things progress.

 

That said I do feel it generally went ok the doctor was very sympathetic and provided tissues when I bevane distressed and also went to get me a glass of water . Ended it by saying that they felt they had all they needed and they felt it had gone 'very ok' (not my words ).

Edited November 4, 2014 by Harry Flash

[Harry Flash]

An update for those interested and then a brief question .

 

I've been informed that I've been assessed as 27% disabled and will receive almost £200 a month . I'm obviously happy with the assessment and the award .

 

My query is is there a yearly medical for this to be reviewed or is it less frequently ? It does say on the letter it is a final assessment and the award is for life but I don't want to read into that .

 

Thanks for those who've taken the time to reply so far .

Edited November 13, 2014 by Harry Flash

[queensclose]

if it says for life then there is no reassessment. unless you inform the of any changes in your condition

[Harry Flash]

if it says for life then there is no reassessment. unless you inform the of any changes in your condition

 

I hoped that was the case . Thanks for the reply

[DCA-KING]

Hi I also suffer with PTSD but have never claimed

as I don't want to be reminded of what I witnessed, do they bring it up as after 14 yrs im still not fully recovered ive just learned to accept it

Regards chris