Very anxious, I think I screwed up my PIP assessment :(

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AnxiousClaimant

Hi everyone, I’m AC. I’ve just completed my PIP phone assessment for chronic severe anxiety with marked panic disorder (on Wednesday 23rd). Here’s a detailed overview of my claim and how I’m feeling now it’s done.

Nature of My Claim

• Condition: Chronic, severe anxiety with panic attacks since 2021
• Daily impact:
  • Panic roughly every two weeks (sometimes more)
  • Constant background anxiety makes planning impossible
  • Can only manage very basic cold meals; can’t cook hot food safely
  • Require someone to prompt me to eat and to help me shower
  • Avoid all shopping; rely on family for groceries
  • Social isolation; used to work in public‑facing roles but now essentially housebound

Key Evidence Submitted

• Three GP fit‑notes (2021–2025) documenting anxiety‑related absences
• Specialist NHS letter (Panic Disorder Severity Scale 21; expedited CBT)
• Incident reports & witness statements:
  • Emergency first‑aid at a public panic attack
  • Station staff assistance during a journey
  • Colleague support when I became immobilised at work
• Detailed claim‑form entries on cooking, eating, bathing, communication, travel planning, social engagement

Post‑Assessment Fears

Although the assessor was unexpectedly kind and patient—even sharing her own experience with CBT—I now feel overwhelmed by how the call went:

1. Blanking on recent work
   When asked about my most recent public‑facing role (held until April), I completely forgot and instead spoke about a job I left nine months ago. Coupled with explaining that I’m now housebound, I fear it looks like a glaring contradiction.
2. Suicidal‑thoughts mismatch
   My NHS therapy letter records that I denied suicidal ideation, yet during the PIP call I admitted I’ve had those thoughts. I’m terrified this inconsistency will be viewed as dishonesty.
3. Unexpected cat cameo
   I truthfully said I don’t own a pet—then a neighbour’s cat wandered in and meowed loudly. I worry this will look like I was misleading.
4. Call drop & panic
   Mid‑assessment the line cut out, and when the call resumed I was hyperventilating and lost my train of thought completely. Despite the assessor’s patience, I felt entirely unprepared.

Despite two months of careful planning—anticipating “trap” questions, scripting answers, keeping notes—I was so anxious that I fear I’ve undermined my strongest evidence. I keep imagining the PA4 arriving with zeros across the board, even though I know four core activities alone should net me 8 points for Standard Daily Living.

Do you think I am destroyed??

Has anyone else experienced this level of post‑assessment panic? How did you cope before seeing your PA4, and how did you handle a Mandatory Reconsideration if needed?

Thank you in advance for any advice or support.

AC

AnxiousClaimant

PS: When I said 'Panic roughly every two weeks (sometimes more)', I meant that I have severe panic attacks which can last over two hours long at their peak, leaving me immobilised, hyperventilating, unable to speak, crying … and that although some triggers are obvious to me, they are really unpredictable happening without warning and I don't know why most of the time - This resulting in my having acute anxiety that I will have a panic attack and hiding inside and not going out because of this. When it happens when I am outside, it is so, so scary, so I prefer to be in my house were I don't have to worry about other people finding me.