New to forum this is me

Pollycasper

Hello my name is polly I’m 43 I suffer with PTSD, anxiety depression, my son was killed in 2004, and suffered but still worked till 2018 then my mental health gradually got worse as I had a job working for myself, and decided enough was enough and went on sick, my doctor had been full aware of my mental state since 2004, I claimed pip and was awarded full daily living and standard rate disibility ( which I scored 10 points, during this time I had a mental health person ( which I waited for over a year, then to be given a cbt trainer ….. i kept telling him I need someone different as he had me doing a diary day to day Even though I didn’t go out, after a long 6 months he wrote me off …. I’m not sure I kept saying yes to something I don’t know my memory is not that good sometimes, 

I have my pip renewed form but have no evidence of any mental health professionals what so ever I read a lot online and cope that way I suffer every minute thinking of my son, and I feel let down by asking for help, do I just put this on the paper ? The form has to be in on the 9th and I’m stressing and panicking cos I haven’t even started it !?? Sorry to ramble my brains seems to be ok this morning just thought I would pop on to ask !?? Xx thank you in advance x 

poppy123456

You can contact PIP and ask for an extension to return the form and they will give you a couple of extra weeks.

When you fill out the form you need to treat it as a new claim and put as much information as possible. Include a couple of real world incidents of exactly what happened the last time you attempted each activity that applies to you. Adding detailed information such as where you were, what exactly happened, did anyone see it and what the consequences were. You should aim for at least half an A4 side of paper per descriptor that applies.

Make sure you add your name and NI number on everything you send and keep a copy for yourself.

When i fill out those forms i always do a little at a time. I type a rough copy first adding information as and when. When the form is completed i then type (or write if you don't have a computer/laptop) everything out once it's all complete.

Make sure you leave plently of time for them to receive the forms because it sometimes takes a couple of weeks for it to be added to the computer.

Alex_Alumni

Hello and welcome @Pollycasper thanks for reaching out today on the community and sharing what's been happening lately, it takes a lot of courage.

Firstly I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your son, it's unimaginable. And there's absolutely no need to apologise for the way you are feeling or for asking for help. We are all here to support you

You might have accessed their support services already, but if you find you're struggling with things, Cruse Bereavement Support might be able to help manage and acknowledge all those feelings.

Do you feel like you're getting enough support for your mental health at the moment? 

I hope the reply above has been helpful for you as well, I would also encourage you to ask for an extension, and break it down into small chunks, so that it's easier to manage. 

It might be helpful to get in touch with an adviser, if you like you can contact the Scope Helpline by phone or email and run through things step by step. 

If you feel we can help support you further then please do ask. Remember, you are worthy of help and support, and we will be happy to assist as much as we are able to. 

Alex

Pollycasper

Thank you for your comments, I will certainly be looking into more help from here from now on, I’ll phone and ask for an extension , I only found my original report  back from the assors from 2020 the other day ( I’d put it somewhere and lost it .. I thought I had maybe put it in the bin as I have habit of that with stuff I made a start and going to try finish today, it’s nice knowing there are people here who can help, I felt let down by my local mental health team it states in the report I have the wrong help with a cbt trainer …. Who was useless my doctor said Togo back and ask for a phycotherapist. But I’m sure he signed me off and not waiting another year for help  I don’t know what he was saying I just kept saying yes  ok ok … I’m no good on a phone I have good days n bad like most of us here, thank you once again a great online community and should of joined ages ago xx

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for explaining that @Pollycasper I am sorry you feel let down by your mental health team, it can be difficult to know where to go for support when that happens. I can certainly relate to having good and bad days too, phone calls can be very stressful things!

I'm so glad you feel supported by the community here Let us know how you get on with asking for an extension, and if you need help, don't hesitate to ask. 

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for sharing your own expeirence of the PIP application process @Rubie30106 that's really supportive Have you been awarded yet yourself? 

Pollycasper

MorRubie30106 said:

Hello @Pollycasper, I'm new here too and feeling like it's my first day at school!  I don't like talking on the phone either, it can be so difficult to say what you want to say.  I either totally forget what I want to say or I say too much.  I am sorry for your loss, it's never easy to lose a loved one, do you have anyone close to you, a family member or a dear friend perhaps?  I know it's really easy for people to say how something so sad will get easier but in reality we all deal with things at a different rate.  I asked for an extension when I was applying for PIP, they gave me an extra 4-6 weeks I think, something along those lines, it's enough time to be able to gather together what you wish to say, keeping fingers crossed for you x

Pollycasper

I got my form done and got my points across don’t know if right, but at end of day if we’re writing about ourselves there is no wrong, I panicked Friday cos I had a set date to post but forgot about the weekend so I got my head down and sent it next day delivery so they should get it in time ( breath ) 

yesterday I had a chill and potter day, I like to potter around the flat I got used to it when I was always looking for stuff I have put down or forgot !! Hope everyone is ok xx 

Alex_Alumni

I'm well thank you @Pollycasper I'm glad you had a chilled day yesterday

A massive well done for getting the form done and dusted, that's great news!

Pollycasper

@AlexW_Scope thank u alex I still feel a bit overwhelmed with it all when u can’t focus for a long time, some question don’t seem to make sense, but can chill and do stuff without the worry for a year or so or how long it takes now x glad I found this site, even if it’s to help others with anything ( my flaw is kindness ) xx 

Alex_Alumni

That's understandable @Pollycasper I think that's common when we feel stressed. 

I'm glad you find the community helpful, and I am certain that you have helped to support other members I don't think kindness is a flaw at all!

SueHeath

Hi @Pollycasper at least you can put your form to the back of your brain now for a bit.
I don't find kindness is a flaw, we need a lot more people in this world who are kind, so it's up to us to get it out there.
How you coping with every thing, now the form is out of the way ?

Pollycasper

Had a text from DWP saying they had received it, it took over 2 week with my first pip claim  to get that text, finally feel I can breath again !! 😊. Thank u all xx 

Tori_Scope

Great @Pollycasper Thank you for letting us know! I hope that you can manage to relax a little now. Do you have anything planned for today?

How have you been getting on?