ASD, BPD, PTSD, Anxiety & Depression

laurawhite1

I was meant to have a face to face consultation in March but it got cancelled without anyone telling me because of the Corona. I have just received a text saying I will have a telephone interview in 4 DAYS TIME!!! Absolutely shitting myself now. I’ve previously applied and got turned down and the second time I lost my letter and missed the appointment so this is my third time around. I have ASD now I am of the high functioning type but I hate that it’s called that because it makes it seem insignificant. I am not good making friends, reading between the lines, being able to tell when I’m being taken advantage of, not knowing when to change subject, changing subject constantly, talking very bluntly without realising, saying before I speak. I couldn’t just go and sit with college class mates I’d feel odd one out, like I’m different, no one understands me, they know I’m weak etc....
I struggle to understand complex things, even maps. I struggle with. High school my mum had to draw me a map on how to get home because you know high school- it’s expected you walk there and back yourself, and I got lost and it took me 2.5 hours to get home. I have a lot of anxiety that makes socialising even more difficult, and working also, I have tried. It I am unable to work with customers face to face or even on phone. I also have Emotionally unstable personality disorder also known as BPD, very unstable moods, feeling like your on a rollercoaster you can never ever get off. Also means I cannot controll my anger , if something annoys me I get over annoyed and react more than what is normal. Look up “Borderline rage” having both ASD and BPD is an absolute nightmare to live with because medication can’t control either and certain therapies only work for certain people not me. I also have PTSD because of childhood abuse, Depression which has led me to hospital 5 times in the past 18 months, and I struggle to get out of bed of a morning and the effort to just wash is like telling me to go for a 5 mile run.... PIP people don’t really understand mental illness or learning difficulties and I fear I’m going to be sweeper away and made to feel insignificant and invalidated yet again as my whole life I’ve been invalidated. College wise I cannot manage to get past a NVQ2, I actually have 3 of them, have tried 3 times to do different Level 3’s and can’t manage, can’t get enough support (was told no point applying for an EHCP as I’m not disabled enough!!!!!) When I applied for Catering in 2017 I was meant to get a one to one helper and I NEVER DID and they even promised me one! This is WIRRAL MET COLLEGE CONWAY PARK! I only got diagnosed with ASD at 20 and BPD at 22, Depression at 22 but I’ve had that since I left school.... If I get denied PIP I will not have the money to move out of my mums house which is damp ridden, toxic black mould, constant arguments and blaming, (I absorb moods and energy easily) and it’s not a good environment for me at all. I don’t want to carry on living in this state and my only hope is PIP. I got told it gets backdated also to original claim date which for me would be late September time!!!!! 

littlep

Hi, I can't help you with anything relating benefit system as I'm still new to it myself.

I also have emotional intensity disorder, more commonly known as BPD and can talk to you and help you with that, or if you need help with housing and on low-income can also give you advice!

Hope everything goes well for you!

laurawhite1

littlep. I am writing down all the answers to the questions I will score points on, I think they are trying to catch me out as being a liar like last time, they said face to face interview didn’t match the questionnaire as there were inconsistencies!!! And scored me 0! Invalidation right there! 

I just hope I manage to say EVERYTHING I need to and don’t get tripped up. 

neuromum4

Hi I can't give benefit advice but what I would say is to explain in the best way that you can how your illness and health affects you.
I think you should write a list of key points if you can.
If your unsure about what they are asking just ask for them to rephrase the question. Take your time and answer as much as you can. 
You need to make them understand you could give an example of a day when you can't get out of bed, how you feel and how it affects your day to day life.
You mentioned anxiety and not being able to follow instructions (map) that example of getting lost is good to get them to understand.
Speak about your moods and anxiety and how you struggle to understand complex things. 
I think trying to explain and to give examples is a good way to put your point accross. I really hope all goes well. I can imagine how anxious you must be.

littlep

laurawhite1 said:

littlep. I am writing down all the answers to the questions I will score points on, I think they are trying to catch me out as being a liar like last time, they said face to face interview didn’t match the questionnaire as there were inconsistencies!!! And scored me 0! Invalidation right there! 

I just hope I manage to say EVERYTHING I need to and don’t get tripped up. 

Hi again, I was put into LCWRA due to mental health. Do you have any documents that can back up your claim? from a doctor, mental health worker or psychiatrist maybe?

laurawhite1

I have LCWRA. I have an action plan from the therapist I see, I have my assessment evaluation letter from someone at the same place (can’t remember her job title - some kind of mental health assessor) Which I have been told is my diagnosis letter for BPD. I have my ASD diagnosis letter but it says “high functioning” which I don’t really want them to see. Maybe I should mention the Joke centre have labelled me limited capabilities for work too. I don’t go there so don’t have a letter to prove it but I’m sure they can source it? 

littlep

laurawhite1 said:

I have LCWRA. I have an action plan from the therapist I see, I have my assessment evaluation letter from someone at the same place (can’t remember her job title - some kind of mental health assessor) Which I have been told is my diagnosis letter for BPD. I have my ASD diagnosis letter but it says “high functioning” which I don’t really want them to see. Maybe I should mention the Joke centre have labelled me limited capabilities for work too. I don’t go there so don’t have a letter to prove it but I’m sure they can source it? 

I'm so sorry I completely misunderstood your post! When I was given LCWRA I had a letter sent via post but also it was added on my journal to confirm the decision. Check your journal to see if your decision was posted on there! 

laurawhite1

I won’t remember my log in details now.... and I realised it’s in 2 days time not 4! Only got the text this morning!

littlep

laurawhite1 said:

I won’t remember my log in details now.... and I realised it’s in 2 days time not 4! Only got the text this morning!

If you don't remember your login details to universal credit, you should call them and see if they can help you! I'm assuming they'll ask you a few security questions. Hope everything goes well! Keep me updated.