Long rambling post about PIP

christichristina

Hi, 

Completely new here and after some guidance. A friend has advised me to apply for PIP, but I really don’t think I qualify. But would welcome some guidance. Sorry for the long post - bit of a brain dump after a hard day!

I have relatively severe depression and some anxiety; the depression means that i don’t do basic tasks - for example my flat is an absolute tip and I usually struggle to find clean clothes etc. I usually can’t get myself to cook, even toast is too much effort sometimes. I therefore usually just eat whatever I can grab when I’m by myself, if I eat at all.

I live with my boyfriend who is brilliant, and he does pretty much all the household tasks (cleaning, cooking, shopping, paying bills) as i either can’t motivate myself or can’t focus. On top of that he usually nags me to eat, drink, take medication and sometimes even has to prompt me to have a shower. If he didn’t pay bills they just wouldn’t get paid, and on the odd occasion I do manage  to go shopping I don’t have a hope in hell of keeping track of what I’m spending and just have to hope it comes in under budget (that however, will be due to my dyslexia). 

So far, so good -  It seems on paper that I meet the criteria. But I’m worried that they’d completely reject my claim as I’m able to hold down a fairly demanding university course, going into uni 3 days a week or so. But I really, really struggle - I’m constantly worried about failing due to the impact of my mental health. My social anxiety is the worst part - I love being around people, but over the last few years being around anyone but those very, very close to me makes me go into a constant state of panic (unless I have one of the said very close people with me), and I end up doing all kinds of stupid things as a result. Those 3 days out of the flat for uni leave me in such a mess that I then won’t leave at all for the remainder of the time, sometimes just curling up on the bed and refusing to move - its weird, often my legs just won’t cooperate, so even if I wanted to move I couldn’t. There’s been quite a few occasions where my boyfriend has been helping me to move and I’ve ended up hyperventilating due to a panic attack - i feel really dizzy and if he wasn’t holding me up I’m pretty certain I’d fall. 

So basically, what do you think are my chances? I feel like on paper I meet the criteria, but because I’m just about pulling through my uni course I’ll be rejected . 

Thanks for reading and for any help!

Trixter_82_

When you do your assessment, you will be asked about uni and how you are able to complete the uni work as depression effects our ability to concentrate. Do you get any support at uni to help with your work? And yes on the flip side at home you do meet the criteria.  

christichristina

Trixter_82_ said:

When you do your assessment, you will be asked about uni and how you are able to complete the uni work as depression effects our ability to concentrate. Do you get any support at uni to help with your work? And yes on the flip side at home you do meet the criteria.  

I’m entitled to help at uni, but my inability to do admin means I haven’t claimed it. Thanks, now pretty certain I can argue for the care component. Just when I reading I saw cases of people who so obviously require it more than me being turned down, I became unsure. 

christichristina

Thank you mikehughescq. I’ve decided to try and make a case for all elements except reading and communicating. Think I’m on about 16 points for care, now just have to try and make the case!

For mobility, I think I’d definitely get 8 as my boyfriend has to help me plan out a new route. However, do you think I’d be able to get any higher - e.g for maybe 4 days a week I’ll point blank refuse to go out because of social anxiety. And maybe 3 days a week I’ll refuse to get out of bed until eventually I desperately need the loo - but then I’m straight back in. Could I argue I can’t walk 200 metres? On occasion my boyfriend will cajole me out of bed, but he’s half dragging me and if he lets go I fall onto the floor, partly because I’m either zombie like and not cooperating or my anxiety has kicked in and I’ll hyperventilate making me feel dizzy. 

poppy123456

christichristina said:

maybe 3 days a week I’ll refuse to get out of bed until eventually I desperately need the loo - but then I’m straight back in. Could I argue I can’t walk 200 metres?

No because those that suffer with mental health the moving around part of mobility doesn't apply. For the mobility part you need to look at following and planning a journey. Plenty of information in the link Mike posted, which you should take some time to have a read.

christichristina

poppy123456 said:

christichristina said:

maybe 3 days a week I’ll refuse to get out of bed until eventually I desperately need the loo - but then I’m straight back in. Could I argue I can’t walk 200 metres?

No because those that suffer with mental health the moving around part of mobility doesn't apply. For the mobility part you need to look at following and planning a journey. Plenty of information in the link Mike posted, which you should take some time to have a read.

Thanks, looks like I can only get 10 points for mobility then :[

christichristina

Username_removed said:

I think you’re making your own case fairly straightforwardly.

Thanks, now just to see if I can put it down onto the form.