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My ESA report

bluefox

Just had another look at my ESA report and it said how I wasn't being paid anything by current employer and that I hoped to be fit after my CBT and treatments but that never happened, as the treatment was rubbish.

I was given a one year award from December 2021. Just wondering though if it says I hoped to be fit after the CBT, why didn't they give me a six month award etc.

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Comments

poppy123456

Support Group is an ongoing award until a new decision says otherwise, I believe you’ve been advised this quite a few times. Timescales are just a guide. I’m also not aware of the reviews starting back yet so it’s very unlikely you will be sent any forms anytime soon.

bluefox

On my form it says something about one year might be when the claimants condition has changed. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD but the psychiatrist I had didn’t listen to my concerns about my episodes of depression and he said during our consultation he didn’t feel I was in an episode of depression. I’m still struggling with the problems in which I was awarded the descriptor. My GP thinks I’m still struggling with depression and that he may have used a template admin response kind of thing and it’s all in my clinical notes.

Does that mean a change of circumstances for ESA? I was thinking about asking for a second opinion tbh.

poppy123456

You are already in the Support Group and you can't get a higher award than this so no, it's not a change of circumstances. We do seem to be going round in circles quite often.

calcotti

It’s not a change of circumstances. Your Support Group status is ongoing.

bluefox

I mean in the respect that the psychiatrist felt in our remote assessment for ADHD, that he didn’t feel I was in an episode of depression yet other professionals have said this:

GP - depression / anxiety
OH - depression / anxiety
Neighbourhood mental health - depression / anxiety
Healthy Minds - depression / anxiety / phobias

and person who lives with me and my partner were gobsmacked by the psychiatrist opinion. They said you’ve withdrawn from your friends/family, you’re always suicidal and self harming… how can you not have depression?

I guess what I’m saying is. Does the psychiatrist opinion written into my medical records impact my claim to be in the support group?

poppy123456

It's not about a diagnosis so that will make no difference. The most important thing is that you're in the Support Group because of how your conditions affect you.

bluefox

poppy123456 said:

It's not about a diagnosis so that will make no difference. The most important thing is that you're in the Support Group because of how your conditions affect you.

I mean I have the diagnosis. I’m actually unsure why he had that opinion tbh and I have questioned him with the help of my GP. I have all the classic signs and symptoms.

calcotti

As poppy dad it’s not about a diagnosis so a change in diagnosis, whether correct or not, is irrelevant to your ESA.

poppy123456

calcotti said:

As poppy dad

Some typos are hilarious, this did make me laugh

bluefox

That is a funny typo.

I told the psychiatrist my difficulties of the past two years and he accepted them. So he’s aware of how I’ve been impacted by my mental health issues.

L_Volunteer

Thanks for sharing this with us @bluefox. It sounds positive that you managed to talk to the psychiatrist and you felt accepted.

Would you like to tell us more about how you feel this went and how things feel more generally for you at the moment?

We are here for you and listening to you if you would like to share more with us

[Deleted User]

I think you are paranoid you'll lose your claim if you don't report every single change, that will not happen you are already in the Support Group. If you are still ill you don't need to report anything.

bluefox

Probably. First time claiming benefits and still working through my treatment and waiting for medications etc. It’s hard.

L_Volunteer

I can hear how it's hard @bluefox. Would anything, in particular, help it to feel more manageable for you at the moment?

Hopefully, you won't have to wait, at least not as much, for your medications soon. Best of luck working through your treatment and claiming benefits.

Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything to support you. We are all here for you and listening to you.

You don't have to face this, or anything else, alone if you don't want to