I have heritary haemochitosi. Anyone got advice on needle phobia? Do I qualify for PIP?

Benjamin123

Hi
I have been diagnosed with heritary haemochitosi this year. I am surposed to have weekly venesection since August but have only had 2 to date as I have needle phobia. I am on the process of having therapy for this to try and help me. I have brain fog  cannot remember things, feel exhausted but struggle to sleep, (This has been happening for years)  i have joint pains and feel extremely  low most days. Does anyone have advise about neefle phobia as i must have my treatment done more often. Also do i qualify for pip?

calcotti

PIP is about your ability to do prescribed activities to a reliable standard. It is not based on diagnosis. See
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/personal-independence-payment-pip/pip-points-system

Tori_Scope

Hi @Benjamin123 Welcome back to the community! 

Please do take a look at the descriptors calcotti has linked to above, and have a think about whether you might be able to score points. Are you confident in knowing how to start the process if you end up deciding to apply for PIP?

I have a fear of needles too, and it's not something I've been able to overcome as of yet, so I can understand how you feel. It's great that you're having some therapy around this- is it helping? 

I also found this document from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust on overcoming a fear of needles, which you may find helpful?