Hi, my name is catlou76!

catlou76

Hi,

I need some advice please regarding benefits and work.

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgua in 2018 after being in a lot of pain for two years and chronic fatigue.
I worked full time up until 2019 and then part time up until 2020 and I wasn’t coping with the demands of work, and ended up resigning from my post.
I lost everything, my partner left, I lost my home and my car.
I suffered a major depressive episode due to this and attempted suicide by falling but was brought to safety by emergency services.

I was subsequently diagnosed with BPD.

I have been on a lot of anti depressive, anti psychotic and pain medications since then.

I was lucky to get social housing and have been on benefits , PIP and UC ( I’m in the limited capacity for work and training group) for the last few years.

I have been admitted to hospital due to my mental health 2 times since then and struggle with constant pain of varying degrees since then, on my worst days I am unable to function normally and do not cope with the pain or how low my mood becomes.

My question is, I am so miserable and so bored , feeling like I have zero purpose in life. I think it is the space where work used to be, how much I enjoyed social interaction, and the motivation of having something to get out of bed for.
My mental health is shocking. I dwell on suicide all the time , knowing I can’t keep living this empty life.

So, my question is , has anyone here, who may have similar conditions, successfully returned to part time work? I have no idea where to start , am petrified of not coping with it and I’m also unsure of how my benefits would be affected. I am scared of being worse off financially losing more in benefits than I could earn through work. I want to speak to DWP, but worry I could find myself being pressurised into taking work that would be unsuitable, worsen my health , I’m just feeling very trapped.

If anyone could advise I would be extremely grateful

Thankyou in advance

Cat