Hi, I've just joined this forum after spending so long reading discussions here that I exhausted myself! I'll come back another day with my own questions.
So just briefly, I have chronic pain and fatigue plus some specific cognitive problems, from various different conditions some of which are diagnosed and some not. I'm not bothered about diagnosis, I choose to learn to manage instead. I also believe I have PTSD but have never sought a medical opinion - started to, but had to prioritise other things; I've never mentioned PTSD in a benefits claim.
I gladly disengaged from the DWP after getting zero PIP when they switched me over (from an indefinite award of DLA) a few years ago. This was the best thing I've ever done for my health, apart from getting out of a poisonous marriage that was making me more instead of less ill. Circumstances (long story) have now forced me to apply for PIP again, and that's why I'm looking at disability websites all over again. Frankly all my instincts AND all my logic tells me it's the wrong thing to do. I want to find a way to get out of doing this. There are other things I need my time and attention for, which also would help my health rather than impacting it the way dealing with The System does.
Meanwhile I'm struggling to keep my spirits up - which I'm very good at, as it's the essential in order to survive living alone! But between time spent on this so far, and having to think about it every day, I am feeling the despair and fear. I'm aware that I look well, sound well, and even online I appear well from the way I write. When I'm less well, I don't get out or get online or get on the phone, so it isn't seen.
For some reason I didn't find the Scope website before - perhaps because someone told me about Benefits and Work and I used their guides for DLA and PIP. But looking at threads here, it is lovely to see how you give each other so much moral support along with good practical advice. Glad to have found you.
