Hello everyone, I’m feeling overwhelmed with my anxiety at the moment, on the 11th February I had my work Capability Assessment for my esa benefit and I’m still waiting on a decision, I rang the Dwp on Monday and was told that no decision has been made yet and told to call back in 2 weeks. I’m panicking, I don’t know what I’ll do if they stop my benefit.
I’m not sleeping well, and the fear of the unknown is too much to bear, I have no friends or close family I can call for advice, so please I need to know how to cope, how can I make it through this?
Any advice would be appreciated, i feel so alone and scared right now
Written by
harv_singh
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Hi I sympathise as this is very worrying isn't it. I would make an action plan for if you get turned down ie appeal. Once you have made a plan for every possible outcome you will feel more at ease and comforted.
Worrying won't change what might happen so try and put it out of your mind for now and wait and see. x
I'm with hypercat on this one. One thing I've always done, and i honestly feel it's the main reason why I'm able to fight off some anxiety attacks, is prepare for the worst. Does it suck to know how bad it can get, I won't lie, yes it does. Knowing the worst and being able to physically, mentally and emotionally prepare for it tho, always helps it not seem as bad as I thought it would be. I do hope it works out in your favor.
I would do this exercise at home near your bed with back facing it. Close your eyes and cross your arms and say to yourself this mantra: “I release that which I have no control and welcome positive energy in my life” and fall on your bed repeat until you let go
The strength we find to make it through. It is amazing. We can fight to win. To win the ability to find the strength within to face our daily battles. You are not alone. EACH ONE OF US CARE. WE ALL LOVE TO HELP OTHERS. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS WEBSITE. I hope that our experiences can help another. We are your strength as well. Love you and relax as much as possible.
get on the computer and get yourself as much info on your health condition as you can and write down how it effects every aspect of your life...remember don't tell them about the good days tell them what you are like on your worst day...the more knowledge you have the better you can explain to these people what your life is like living with this.
The same with the appeals process look into how it works and get prepared for it if you need to go to appeal.
For me doing it proved very helpful and therapeutic knowing i was ready for anything....and remember you won't be dealing with DWP workers or private medical care workers on the appeal it will be much more sympathetic people like ex Doctors who have much more knowledge than DWP decision makers and that's why more and more appeals are won.
All the best..John....if you ever need help just ask
Been reading your posts harv and can't believe how similar our fears and anxieties are..lol..we could be twins..even our ESA assessment forms came at the same time..lol.
I've been through this as many of us have. Often these assessments are just formalities. In no way am I down playing your anxiety over it bc I also use to go into a panic. Until I realized , in my case and many other cases, , it just seemed like something they had to do , to *Keep* you qualified for your benefits. It is unlikely you will loose them. I agree with some ppl here, that being prepared for the worst , or having a plan will help. Tell yourself you are strong and will appeal. But remember all to often the 'worst' does not happen. That is ALL PART of anxiety. Love to you !
I went on Monday always say the physical element is a complete farce.they cant argue about my mental health that's for sure.hope you get positive news fingers crossed.
Sorry you're having a hard time. I know how you feel. My top 3 strategies: Get out of my own head. I go on YouTube and watch comedians. Michael Jr. is very funny and Jeff Allen. I also listen to Ravi Zaccharias. He has video called The Meaning of Life. The second thing I do is physical exercise. It is the best thing to do to combat it. And the third thing I do is leave my house, go somewhere to be among people.
You sound like me,you are already going to Disneyland before the Dr calls you back. (Understand?) I do the same thing,I'm an expert at catastrophic thinking too. As they say, no news is good news. When uve gone to the worst oi outcome in my own life,I've found that it rarely turns out to be the awful outcome that I e imagined will happen. I wish I could wave a wand and make the bad thoughts go away but I cant. I can however tell you that I'm that way too and it rarely turns out to be the bad outcomes that I was certain would happen. Take a deep breath.... you're not s alone as you feel.im proof. Just try and take one day,hour,minute at a time. It will be ok no matter how it turns out. You are strong and can handle the outcome.
PS when you find yourself in the worry merry go round, get off the ride and force yourself to say that I. Annot help myself by goi g round and round. Get off the ride and make yourself live in this.moment.
I need to start living in the now, I’ve wasted so much time worrying about the future, regretting the past. I’m going to work on that, thanks for your messages
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