Just had my assessment

shellbell20

I have just finished on the phone with the assessor it took 2 hours. A lot of questions and to be honest I have no idea how it went, but what I do feel is that an assessment doesn't really reflect the true picture.  So many things I wanted to say about how my anxiety, depression, Meniere's
 Disease, arthritis etc affects me, but when asked a series of questions it doesn't reflect the little things that you miss out.  I know that we have to do a statement and fill in a form, but sometimes verbally gives a more accurate picture than a written statement and answers to questions. Does anyone feel this way about the assessment?  I feel absolutely exhausted now, I just didn't realise how an assessment could make you feel that way like I have completed a 26-mile marathon.   Hmm.  Now for the wait and probably the appeal.

shellbell20

Teddybear12 said:

Hi @shellbell20 You have done the hard part now. Well done. I think you feel exhausted after the assessment because you get wound up before and while doing it. 
Fingers crossed it went well. Let us know when you get your decision. Take care.

Thanks, I will let everyone know when I get the decision he said up to 8 weeks.   I didn't have a clue how it went though if I am honest, he gave nothing away and said its up to the CM for a final decision at the beginning and at the end, I asked no questions about the process by the end of it I was way too exhausted to bother and I am kind of feeling pretty flat and low now. I have no idea why I feel this way, just sad which is very strange.

calcotti

They say 8 weeks but it can be up to 12 so don't get concerned if it takes more than 8.

shellbell20

calcotti said:

They say 8 weeks but it can be up to 12 so don't get concerned if it takes more than 8.

I will forget about it, to be honest, as I know if I think about it, I will worry and fret over it, which is not great for me and especially not good for my anxiety attacks. I answered as honestly as I could given the questions asked. 

There were some weird questions, one of them was do I have a pet? Another one do I have a driving licence? I wanted to say yes but my driving licence is out of date and I have not renewed it but I only had a chance to say I have not driven in 8 years, and then I think the question was, because of your Meniere's?  And are the DVLA aware? I had to respond I don't drive anymore and it was because of my anxiety that I did not drive as I find it way too stressful.   

I also felt the questions about mobility were very closed questions about mobility and how far you can walk, not about how if I look to my left or right to cross a road, I have a dizzy spell when turning my head and have to do it slowly or I lose my balance and trip. It was more geared towards my arthritis than other things.

I can totally understand why people get turned down as the questions and answers don't reflect the whole picture and not all people can write a biography of each day and really put across how each day differs or affects an individual. Sometimes people articulate better by talking about events rather than penning an impact statement. 

poppy123456

There's never enough of time during the assessment to tell them every single thing. This is why we have forms to fill in and return. The more information you put in the form, the less questions they have to ask during the assessment.

The pet question is more relevant than you think. For example, a dog could indicate that you take them for a walk, so can you walk further than you stated. Also bending down to feed the pet, can indicate that you can dress your lower half. I'm not saying that you can of course, i'm just giving some examples of the reason for those types of questions.

After the assessment it's very easy to think that it didn't go well or you didn't give enough of information but at this point it's impossible to speculate anything.

shellbell20

poppy123456 said:

There's never enough of time during the assessment to tell them every single thing. This is why we have forms to fill in and return. The more information you put in the form, the less questions they have to ask during the assessment.

The pet question is more relevant than you think. For example, a dog could indicate that you take them for a walk, so can you walk further than you stated. Also bending down to feed the pet, can indicate that you can dress your lower half. I'm not saying that you can of course, i'm just giving some examples of the reason for those types of questions.

After the assessment it's very easy to think that it didn't go well or you didn't give enough of information but at this point it's impossible to speculate anything.

I would say that they did not give anything away one way or another and I didnt expect them too. I don't know how it went to be honest, but I should find out in the next few weeks when the report comes back and the decision maker make their decision based on the evidence i sent and the questions I answered. I will let you know any updates.

shellbell20

poppy123456 said:

There's never enough of time during the assessment to tell them every single thing. This is why we have forms to fill in and return. The more information you put in the form, the less questions they have to ask during the assessment.

The pet question is more relevant than you think. For example, a dog could indicate that you take them for a walk, so can you walk further than you stated. Also bending down to feed the pet, can indicate that you can dress your lower half. I'm not saying that you can of course, i'm just giving some examples of the reason for those types of questions.

After the assessment it's very easy to think that it didn't go well or you didn't give enough of information but at this point it's impossible to speculate anything.

I forgot to mention that the assessor asked me what time I ate? I found that
 question quite bizarre when I had already said that my son used to feed me and now my sister in law will come around with food each night or I will make toast with cheese or such if they don't come round. I don't understand why what time I eat is actually relevant. I barely eat as it is, I will skip food most days unless I am prompted by family or friends, so to ask me what time I eat is kind of weird.  Do you know why they might ask this random question?