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How do you explain the planning journeys bit at f2f?

Charliegirl

I am totally confused as this seems at loggerheads. If you have to drive yourself to appointments then you have to be able to plan a journey I would say however if a place is new to me then my husband always takes me beforehand for a recce so I know where I am going as cannot use a sat nav as they scare me as a driver, ok when a passenger, I have been known to end up abandoning an appointment id there is a delay or diversion as my anxiety just scream HOME NOW and then had to wait ages for a new appt with apologies. As cannot phone to cancel as afraid to use the bluetooth thing for phone in car, Is this the kind of thing that is relevant?? I also have to check out possible toilet facilities on route as if any situation is stressful I have bowel issues and often have to stop at supermarket, cafe, filling station for the loo as impossible to wait. Thank you.

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Comments

wilko

That’s all relevant to you planning and making a journey so but as must Infomation as you can.

Sam_Alumni

There is a lot of information about the planning your journey question on the CAB website here that might help. I know it is about filling in the forms, but it can be transferred into how to explain yourself at an assessment too.

Question 13a

Do you need help from another person to plan a route to somewhere you know well? Or do you need another person, guide dog or specialist aid to help you get there?

Yes
No
Sometimes

Base your answer on what you can manage most days. You should probably tick “yes” if:

you need help but don't get it
your stress, anxiety or other mental health condition make it difficult for you to go out
you find it hard to cope with large crowds or loud noises
you find it hard to cope with unexpected changes to a journey - for example, roadworks or diversions
you only attempt a journey during quiet times of the day - for example, when the shops aren't busy or there's less traffic on the road

Question 13b

Do you need help from another person, guide dog or specialist aid to get to a location that is unfamiliar to you?

Yes
No
Sometimes

You should probably tick "yes" if:

you need help but don't get it
someone helps or encourages you to go out
someone goes out with you
your mental health condition makes using a bus or train difficult
you can't plan a route to an unfamiliar place yourself
you find it difficult to cope with unexpected changes to a journey - for example, bus diversions, train cancellations

Question 13c

Are you unable to go out because of severe anxiety or distress?

Yes
No
Sometimes

Don't be put off by the word 'severe' - people experience anxiety and distress in different ways.

List any orientation aids that help you follow a route - for example, a compass, guide cane or map designed for people with sight loss. You can also list a guide dog as an "aid".

Never miss any aids off your list because you think they're obvious, and always:

explain how they help you
explain what would happen if you didn't use them
make it clear if a health professional advised you to use them
include any that would help you if you had them
include any that your condition prevents you from using - for example, your arthritis means you can't hold a cane

Explain if you use an aid to reduce mental or physical symptoms like stress, confusion, fear or anxiety when you're outside. Make it clear if it only reduces that feeling and that you still experience something.

Someone helps, encourages or reassures you

Make it clear if you need help but don't get any.

If you do get help, say who helps you (for example, a relative or friend) and explain:

why they help you
how they help
how often they help

Make it clear if you need them to:

plan journeys
explain things to you
encourage you to leave the house
reassure you so you feel safe or calm
deal with other people for you because you find it difficult

Always explain if there is (or would be) a risk to your safety if you didn't get that help.

Tell the DWP if stress or anxiety make it difficult for you to plan a journey, follow a route or leave the house.

Try to say how often you experience this and how long it lasts. It’s ok to estimate or say if it’s too difficult to predict.

Make it clear if these feelings mean you can't plan a journey, follow a route or leave the house - even with someone there to help. Try to explain how stress or anxiety:

makes it difficult for you to speak or deal with people
can increase the risk of you getting lost
makes you feel - for example, you feel sick, faint, confused or disorientated
affects your ability to do any of the other tasks listed in the PIP claim form

Example

Theresa's anxiety make it very difficult for her to be outside - either on her own or with family or friends. It's even harder if it's somewhere she doesn't know. The anxiety makes it hard for her to breathe and she sweats and feels faint, which can make it even harder for her to cope. When this happened at her local shop in February her friend had to call an ambulance to take care of her.