PIP success stories on mental health grounds?

kimbychick · January 31

Hi, I would love to hear any success stories and what you were awarded please? I have been on PIP since 2017. Posted my review form 3 weeks ago and really anxious waiting and wondering the outcome. My diagnosis is generalised anxiety disorder, depression, panic disorder and agoraphopbia. Thank you x

johnsmith187 · January 31

My wife got zero points for anxiety, depression,OCD and aggrophobia, took it to tribunal and got awarded 10 points for DL and 10 for mobility (3yr claim). Also claimed in 2017 so have just started the process again unfortunately.

woodbine · January 31

It really doesn't matter what one persons experience is as everybody is different as PIP isn't awarded for an illness/condition but the care and/or mobility issues that arise and they differ.

johnsmith187 · January 31

@woodbine when you're going through something stressful like claiming for benefits it sometimes helps to hear other people's experiences especially success stories, to encourage you. If it has value to op then it most certainly does matter.

kimbychick · January 31

Thanks for your comments. Your wife had a similar outcome to me actually. In 2017 I was awarded 0 points then awarded 10 points daily living after MR. Then also 10 points mobility after appeal. I am just hoping I dont have to go through this process again as it is so stressful.

johnsmith187 · January 31

@kimbychick We are exactly the same at the moment. Completely dreading having to go to appeal again, I just sent off her forms last week but have been obsessing ever since. It's also so annoying that if you go to appeal you have to start a new claim Vs having a renewal as none of her previous claim will be looked at so have to send in all the info again. I do wish you luck with yours, you never know we might both get lucky and not have to appeal🤞. (Touch wood)

woodbine · January 31

johnsmith187 said:

@woodbine when you're going through something stressful like claiming for benefits it sometimes helps to hear other people's experiences especially success stories, to encourage you. If it has value to op then it most certainly does matter.

I beg to differ, my point is that every single case is individual no two the same especially with PIP

kimbychick · January 31

Thanks John. I wish you and your wife lots of luck. Stay in touch and we can maybe help one another. You are absolutely right it does help to hear other people's success stories. Especially people who are in almost the same situation. Thanks again.

johnsmith187 · January 31

@woodbine well considering op has already stated she has found the comments helpful I guess you've been proved wrong.

lisathomas50 · January 31

@johnsmith187 @woodbine is right peoples situations are different and prople have different decision makers but there is a bit of hope when there are succes stories

Hopefuly yours will be a succes good luck and hope things turn out good for you

woodbine · January 31

johnsmith187 said:

@woodbine well considering op has already stated she has found the comments helpful I guess you've been proved wrong.

i'm a big boy with broad shoulders

johnsmith187 · January 31

@lisathomas50 I never disputed woodbines comment that all pip claims are different. I disputed the fact that hearing other people's success stories has no value. Which you yourself seem to agree with.

johnsmith187 · January 31

woodbine said:

johnsmith187 said:

@woodbine well considering op has already stated she has found the comments helpful I guess you've been proved wrong.

i'm a big boy with broad shoulders

As it should be on internet forums, no hard feelings.

lisathomas50 · January 31

@johnsmith187 it might not have value but it gives people hope it shows thst it does sometimes work

If all you kept hearing was bad things people wouldn't try

At least there is hope with success stories

woodbine · January 31

never any hard feelings

johnsmith187 · January 31

@kimbychick no problem and I will certainly keep updating whenever and wherever I have progress,hope you do the same.

chiarieds · January 31

I would ask you to respect our communities guidelines @johnsmith187 - If you don't agree with another poster, that's fine, but always show respect for the other's opinion too. @woodbine is not 'wrong,' but has given the benefit of his advice. Whilst it's helpful to encourage other members saying about any 'success' stories, that is just another person's 'subjective' story; just their personal experience. Sometimes it's worthwhile standing back & being 'objective' too, as woodbine has done here. Often posts made are read by newer members down the line, so in this community we do try help both present & future members in that regard. That's not for a moment to suggest that all members will not be supported to the best of our ability.

johnsmith187 · January 31

@chiarieds I'm sorry I'm abit confused here, op asked for success stories as she is feeling anxious and would like some comfort, woodbine then came in and said success stories don't matter as every pip is different. I then interjected that they obviously do matter to op as she finds comfort in them. And you're saying woodbine was not wrong and that hearing other people's success stories doesn't matter to op,that's odd as op has already confirmed the opposite.

woodbine · January 31

sorry @johnsmith187 is there a point to continuing this "argument", personally I suspect not @chiarieds was merely pointing out the community guidelines and rightly so.

johnsmith187 · January 31

@woodbine if you do not wish to comment then do not comment.

woodbine · January 31

sorry but i've scrolled back and cannot see where I said i did not wish to comment.

lisathomas50 · January 31

@woodbine its been flagged

johnsmith187 · January 31

@woodbine em..ok. I mean I never said you said that so I don't know why you would suggest I did but whatever.

chiarieds · January 31

That's not what I said at all; I'm saying @woodbine's comment is just as valid as anyone's. I asked you to respect our communities guidelines, which can be found here: https://www.scope.org.uk/online-community-guidelines/?_ga=2.235962951.756640953.1594920585-462006494.1594920585

Also, in the long run, guidance as to claiming PIP (at whatever stage) may prove just as helpful whether a person has physical, or mental health problems, or a combination of both, rather than 'just' sharing personal experience. I stand by what I've mentioned, & would ask that you take the time to read our community's guidelines, thank you.

johnsmith187 · January 31

@chiarieds I have read them and I would suggest you take the time to read them yourself.

When I suggested people gain comfort from people hearing success stories woodbine directly said 'I beg to differ' op then stated she had infact been comforted,objectively proving woodbine wrong,which is all I stated. If you think my comment broke TS and C's please report it to admin. Thank you.

chiarieds · January 31

Thank you @johnsmith187 - I read the guidelines fairly often, but appreciate you reminding me of them.

johnsmith187 · January 31

@chiarieds ditto

leeCal · January 31

Let’s be honest, other people’s accounts are of limited value since their applications will be very different in detail one from another. Perhaps there is some slight comfort to be gained ostensibly from hearing them but at the end of the day each claim is relatively unique in effect.

i personally made a successful claim and it was based to a great extent on mental health grounds. I hope that helps a little.

cupcake88 · January 31

I was awarded pip last year for 2 and half years on the grounds of mental illness I have anxiety , ocd and ptsd pychosis . I recieve higher for daily living and lower mobility.

I haven’t done a review yet I wish you well with your review

woodbine · January 31

johnsmith187 said:

@chiarieds I have read them and I would suggest you take the time to read them yourself.

When I suggested people gain comfort from people hearing success stories woodbine directly said 'I beg to differ' op then stated she had infact been comforted,objectively proving woodbine wrong,which is all I stated. If you think my comment broke TS and C's please report it to admin. Thank you.

@johnsmith187 that is rude an unhelpful, @chiarieds is a long standing and highly valued member of this community, whereas you my friend have made 3 dozen post and want to act like you know more about the rules than someone who has made 6,629 post.
you should appologise.

johnsmith187 · January 31

@woodbine I would kindly ask you to stop being so aggressive and to stop with the passive aggressive terms like 'my friend'. Does my posting history mean my voice is valued less than anyone else's? I merely reminded chiaried about the guidelines AFTER she had reminded me twice. Your comment was both rude and highly inappropriate, please reframe from tagging me further as I do not wish to speak with someone who conducts themselves as you do. Good night.

cupcake88 · January 31

Sorry to over take this thread but I don’t know what is going on with this forum lately . It’s like some people can’t comment because people take it wrongly .

@chiarieds are well respected members on here and try there best to answer all questions . I think people need to just not get so offended and defensive .

This forum is supposed to be a friendly and safe space .

Woodbine was just simply explaining every case Is different and @[email protected] was just simply saying to be respectful on the forum to all members .

i have mental illness but how my illnesses affects me might not affect the next person with mental illnesses the same .

woodbine · January 31

@johnsmith187 1)i wont tag you again as I won't engage in your coversations, FYI scope comes with a very handy "ignore" feature if you want to add me to your list please feel free.
My comment was neither rude or "highly"inappropiate as it goes mate.
It is purely good manners to recognise another members contributions to this forum and making 6,629 takes some doing and indicates that that person knows more about the forum and scope and how things work than either you or I do.
And for the record I will always without exception defend people on here who i both like and respect.
Good night

johnsmith187 · January 31

@cupcake88 thank you for you input. But I would kindly like to point out as I have several times before as did the op. Op was NOT asking for advice for her pip or advice on whether she is likely to be successful or not. She wanted to be comforted by success stories of other people claiming pip while at the same time fully aware that their claims had no impact on her own claim other than giving her some comfort. I'm at a loss as to how the op's own words have been ignored or misconstrued by so many 'respected members'.

kimbychick · January 31

I'm beginning to regret starting this discussion now. It was supposed to be light hearted and I was interested to get some info from people in similar situations as myself, which I got from @johnsmith187 and found very helpful. I personally think he has done nothing wrong. Thanks to others who have shared positive stories also x

cupcake88 · February 1

@kimbychick I’m sorry you feel you shouldn’t of post you absolutely should of . I responded to your post the best I could . I have mental illnesses and I get pip .

kimbychick · February 1

@cupcake88 thank you that means alot. I am awaiting the outcome of my review and my anxiety is getting the better of me thinking of going through the whole MR and appeal process again to get my points back. Do you mind me asking, were you awarded yours after assessment or did you have to go to appeal? Thanks again x

chiarieds · February 1

Hi @kimbychick - absolutely nothing wrong in your post, & I'm pleased @johnsmith187 proved helpful & insighttful, as I hope too did my friend @cupcake88's reply. Sometimes others of us who have been through the PIP process also hope to help; I hope you don't mind.

chiarieds · February 1

@johnsmith187 - it certainly doesn't matter about how many posts I've made compared to yours. Must admit after mentioning our communities guidelines, you asking me to read them was rather odd...

I'm also at a loss as to where you could see woodbine's comments as 'aggressive' in the slightest. I think you're perhaps missing the point that people's personal experience, as asked for, is important, so too might be other's experience/knowledge about the PIP process; both might help the OP. Sorry you misunderstood.

johnsmith187 · February 1

@chiarieds as I had broken no guidelines I found it strange for you to suggest I read them which is why I replied in kind. If you are implying that asking someone who has broken no guidelines to please read them is odd,I would agree and ask yourself why you felt the need to say it to me.
And it is not me who has missed the point is is you (once again I'm afraid). At no time did I dismiss woodbines advice about each individual pip claim being different, in fact I openly agreed with it. What I disputed is woodbine directly saying that other people's experience has no value to op, as it obviously does as she has stated several times now.

I believe you would benefit from reading this thread through again until you understand the key points. Instead of parading a false sense of superiority by saying 'sorry you misunderstood' as it is you who has failed to understand (once again).

bishop1967 · February 1

Lockdown has definitely turned this forum in a more negative way.. People are more angry the hope is lockdown is over soon then Mybe we can all live more positive life

Leelink · February 1

I have aspergers and anxiety and depression. Scored 0 on the assessment. Scored 0 at MR. Decided to go to tribunal. Got a letter saying they looked into it again and awarded me enhanced for both for ongoing. Its definitely a process but you just gotta keep going and eventually get there. Don't think its over just because you don't get what you want at assessment stage.

kimbychick · February 1

Thanks @Leelink. That's great you got an ongoing award also. I'm glad you kept fighting and didn't give up.

johnsmith187 · February 1

Also @chiarieds I would appreciate it that if you have a problem with one of my comments you contact admin instead of going on another thread and spreading false rumours about me trying to incite a pile on. I made one comment to woodbine disagreeing with his assumption that success stories have no value to op (something op herself has disputed several times) and I've had four 'respected members' jump on this thread to condescend and speak passively aggressive towards me and if that isn't enough you took it upon yourself to then mention our exchange in yet another thread falsely accusing me of 'disrespecting another member'. And making a condescending remark about how many posts I've made.

Like I've asked several times if you have a problem with one of my comments please take it up with admin. Thank you.

Tori_Scope · February 1

Thread closed pending review.

Tori_Scope · February 1

Firstly, I'd like to say to @kimbychick that I'm sorry you're thread was so heavily derailed, and that you regret making your post. Your original post in no way broke the community guidelines, and it's perfectly understandable that you'd want to seek reassurance from other members regarding their experiences of PIP reviews. Although this thread is now closed, I do hope that you'll feel comfortable making posts again in the future. I'd encourage you to do this if you have any further questions about the PIP review process, or queries about anything else you're experiencing.

As is so often stated on the community, it'd be easy to think from reading through the posts in our PIP category that everyone has a negative experience with the PIP process, when this is not the case. We therefore welcome members to share their positive experiences and success stories, as it can serve as a source of comfort that people do receive the awards they deserve.

That being said, it is of course important to note that not everyone's experience will be the same. Two people with the same diagnosis can receive very different awards, depending on how their condition/s affect them. A simple 'I understand that it's reassuring to hear success stories from those in a similar situation to you, but it's important to remember that two people with the same diagnosis may not receive the same award' would suffice.

We've left many reminders about this on the community, particularly recently, but this is another reminder that all members need to consider their tone when writing a comment or post here on the community. People will interpret comments in different ways, so it's important to ensure that all comments are polite and on-topic, and do not consist of personal attacks against other users. This includes comments that could be interpreted as passive-aggressive.

I'm going to share once again a useful reminder that Adrian put together a while ago:

Before you respond to a post, think:

Am I feeling preoccupied, anxious, inadequate, physically uncomfortable and tired? Am I making assumptions?

Do I feel a strong urge to be right rather than looking to offer advice, help find solutions, support and empathise with the other person?

Am I looking at the post from my point of view, rather than the other person’s?

Is it worth engaging and potentially making a bad situation worse? Should I step away and perhaps report the post?

It's perfectly fine to step back from a post and consider whether a further response is needed. If you feel as though a post or comment has broken the community guidelines, please use the report function and step away from the thread until the community team can review it.

Regarding post count, we value appropriate comments from all members, regardless of the number of times they have posted, or how long they've been a member of the community.

I'm going to leave this thread closed for now, as I think it's run its course, and the comments will be reviewed tomorrow.

PIP success stories on mental health grounds?

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