I'm sure this subject has been discussed to death, for that I can only apologise.
For a couple of years now, doing a little research on my own, I think that I may have what a Work Psychologist I saw 01/2012 called a neuro diverse condition. I thought it might be Aspergers, it might be ADD possibly Dyspraxia. I'm by no means an expert nor a diagonistician. I could be completely wrong and, as i suspect my GP thinks (but doesn't say), lazy!
When I first saw the Work Psychologist (a dwp person, i don't know much about the specific role as I'd never heard of them before) I was on JSA. Since then I started on the Work Programme which I am still on. She claimed she could test for Aspergers but relented to saying she could do some kind of test to see if I might have ADD. I realise that makes no sense, but it involved answering a load of puzzles like remembering number sequences backwards and spotting patterns and stuff. From what I could understand she said it was highly likely. I have yet to get an official diagnosis as such facilities are not local to me and I find travelling around cities rather scary. There is now a chance the local CMHT might do one.
However the Work Programme treated me badly. They ignored the information regarding my mental health (even though no formal diagnosis) and refused to accept even the possibility of such problems - of any kind. I was told that without a support worker present they wouldn't countenance any such possibility. I made a complaint and have since changed advisers. Though the replacement is better they still admit they can't do anything. Basically the WP is rubbish. I was told that the main problem was because I was on JSA and that I should claim ESA.
To cut a long and predictable story short that's what I did, six months later I have, unsurprisingly, failed the WCA. I've sent the GL24 form back to lodge an appeal. I'm not sure how that will work but I'm told that doing so reinstates my benefit until such time as they decide whether to change their mind (I doubt it, let's be honest). In the meantime I have to persuade my GP I need help.
I suppose my point in posting is just to hear what other people think. I haven't found my GP to be terribly helpful or sympathetic and the system certainly isn't. ESA should be employment support, but it seems to work on the basis that, in order to get into the WRAG (my stated goal, i don't claim to be deserving of the support group) you need to also qualify for the support group. This doesn't make much sense to me. As a result I feel guilty as if I'm swinging the lead. But on the other hand, I just can't cope with the DWP. I find life difficult and I find dealing with society at times very hard. All the stuff you've heard before no doubt.
I can't say for certain I'm an aspie/add/whatever, so I could be wrong. But just trying to get support and be taken seriously is horrendous. It's enough to make you ill even if you aren't. If anyone has any advice I'd be grateful, thanks.
Yes I realise these things are important, I'm not stupid! But I am not surrounded by advocates.
In respect of being tested, until I can get a full assessment, the only test i have done is the 'Brown's Adult Attention Deficit' screening questionaire.
It's very easy for people to say 'do this, do that', but they should know, on here, just how difficult it is to find these services. I can't pull them out of my backside or magic them up overnight. It is difficult enough just getting a GP appointment without having to wait for weeks on end, and even they don't have the time or knowledge to get into mental health matters.
I have had absolutely no support at all. The Work Programme is a complete joke, the JC do nothing and I absolutely cannot cope with JSA and signing on again. Last time, when i was referred onto the WP (before they bullied me), I was told I'd only need to come in to do a quick sign; the WP would take care of all the jobsearch stuff and I would see the same person at the same time each fortnight. That never happened. Each time was a different advisor and wasn't a quick appointment, and each appointment was booked, there and then, a different time next time. That itself is something I find very difficult to deal with.
ESA seems to be no better. The system says its for people that have problems and need help getting back to work (not that there are any decent jobs available), but then it kicks you off for not being unable to work. The whole thing is a complete mess; once you fail the WCA (i had no chance of passing it) your money is immediately stopped and you are left to your own devices. Where is the help?
I don't have any specialist knowledge of what to do. I've never said for sure I have this condition or that. I'm not a doctor. All I know is there is something wrong and that I cannot deal with signing on/JSA, but that doesn't seem to be enough. I certainly don't need people on here implying that there's nothing wrong with me. I'm not putting myself through all this for a laugh!
Yes I realise these things are important, I'm not stupid! But I am not surrounded by advocates.
In respect of being tested, until I can get a full assessment, the only test i have done is the 'Brown's Adult Attention Deficit' screening questionaire.
It's very easy for people to say 'do this, do that', but they should know, on here, just how difficult it is to find these services. I can't pull them out of my backside or magic them up overnight. It is difficult enough just getting a GP appointment without having to wait for weeks on end, and even they don't have the time or knowledge to get into mental health matters.
I have had absolutely no support at all. The Work Programme is a complete joke, the JC do nothing and I absolutely cannot cope with JSA and signing on again. Last time, when i was referred onto the WP (before they bullied me), I was told I'd only need to come in to do a quick sign; the WP would take care of all the jobsearch stuff and I would see the same person at the same time each fortnight. That never happened. Each time was a different advisor and wasn't a quick appointment, and each appointment was booked, there and then, a different time next time. That itself is something I find very difficult to deal with.
ESA seems to be no better. The system says its for people that have problems and need help getting back to work (not that there are any decent jobs available), but then it kicks you off for not being unable to work. The whole thing is a complete mess; once you fail the WCA (i had no chance of passing it) your money is immediately stopped and you are left to your own devices. Where is the help?
I don't have any specialist knowledge of what to do. I've never said for sure I have this condition or that. I'm not a doctor. All I know is there is something wrong and that I cannot deal with signing on/JSA, but that doesn't seem to be enough. I certainly don't need people on here implying that there's nothing wrong with me. I'm not putting myself through all this for a laugh!
