It's silly, but I'm scared.

[one day at a time]

I've had severe depression and panic attacks for several years now, and it is worse now than it was when I was first diagnosed. I've found out today that I'll be reassessed under these new disability rules. I'm so scared that I'll have to go for medicals and interviews again. I get really worked up and nervous, but last time they said that because I was articulate and made eye contact then I couldn't have depression. It took a lot of fighting from myself and my doctor to prove how bad I was then, and I'm scared I'll have to go through all this again trying to justify my health conditions to people who don't know me. Has anyone been through this new medical system, and if so, what was it like.

[Munchroom]

Hi and welcome  :)

First of all, its not silly to be scared... things like this are daunting for anyone, nevermind if you are fighting depresion on top of it all.
I had the same thing happen to me when I went for my first medical, because I was able to keep eye contact, not rocking back and forth, articulate etc they deemed me fit to work.... I appealed, had all the stress of the tribunal and won. They then put me into the WRAG group - are you in WRAG or support? I don't know what the new medical system is like and I doubt I will get to find out either... I sent back my second questionaire just before christmas and have no appointment come through for a new medical, but my benefit will end at the end of April because I have had it for over a year, I don't think this applies if you are in the support group.
This website can be quite helpful http://www.youreable.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/2-Benefits-help-amp-advice-on-disability-benefits-incapacity-benefits-ESA-and-DLA.

I personally think the best thing to do is to let them see how bad you really are. So often when we go to appointments, even to the doctor, we put on a mask - for our own sakes more than anything else. Good luck... its a horrible and flawed system to be in.

xxx

[one day at a time]

I don't know what group I'm being put in, waiting on the questionnaire coming through. I get income support at the moment because I don't qualify for incapacity benefit. Wasn't due a reassessment until next year, but this has preempted that it seems.

[lightenup]

Hi I just think they throw as many people off as they can,  they have no idea.  I was through one medical and put off and I won my tribuneral and 3 months later went through another medical.  I won't lie and say they where easy, my husband came with me.  The Dr told my hubby to take me home and not to worry.  I have been put in the will be fit for work group of ESA, ha good stuff when its hard to get out of bed some days let alone going out of the house to work!!  The system is pants but you need to fight it I know its horrible take someone with you, and don't go all glammed up. Its the scammers that leave it this way for us genuine people.  I worked for over 30 years and was never off sick, and they never stopped harrassing me   Good Luck