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.
It seems I am failing to explain myself. That's part of my overall problem: unfortunately these failings are not seen as part of the problem, they are just seen as laziness or ineptitude or whatever. It's like I'm speaking a different language sometimes.
The written word can be tricky for anyone, you have things in your mind that you can forget the reader didn't know or something and anyone can do this, it doesn't mean your communication is bad.
Doctors frequently get impatient and terse with patients because they are on a time limit, have a stressful job and simply don't understand conditions like autism or mental health. Many can be condescending too, as they don't like being told by a patient that they have researched their condition and know what it is and they therefore will try to put you in your place. Doctors also don't get paid to understand the benefits system, and then there is always personality which is added to the mix.
Don't assume the worst, I know it's a struggle and it does feel as if the whole system is against you (believe me I have and am experiencing that myself) but you need to take proactive steps to try to resolve it where you can - hence my advice above. It's up to you whether you take that advice, but having things in writing makes things more official and can be backtracked and copied to relevant agencies as proof.
It seems I am failing to explain myself. That's part of my overall problem: unfortunately these failings are not seen as part of the problem, they are just seen as laziness or ineptitude or whatever. It's like I'm speaking a different language sometimes.
The written word can be tricky for anyone, you have things in your mind that you can forget the reader didn't know or something and anyone can do this, it doesn't mean your communication is bad.
Doctors frequently get impatient and terse with patients because they are on a time limit, have a stressful job and simply don't understand conditions like autism or mental health. Many can be condescending too, as they don't like being told by a patient that they have researched their condition and know what it is and they therefore will try to put you in your place. Doctors also don't get paid to understand the benefits system, and then there is always personality which is added to the mix.
Don't assume the worst, I know it's a struggle and it does feel as if the whole system is against you (believe me I have and am experiencing that myself) but you need to take proactive steps to try to resolve it where you can - hence my advice above. It's up to you whether you take that advice, but having things in writing makes things more official and can be backtracked and copied to relevant agencies as proof.
