Silly question

[Mrsb07]

What has your mental health got to do with your physical health apparently because I don't have a mental health issues I don't get points but what they don't get is i have been battling depression for the last 18 years I would like to think that's was mental health issues

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi, it is a fact that your mental health can impact your physical health greatly. In the same way your physical health can have an impact on your mental health.

I know in times gone by the two were treated separately. But more doctors these days are now looking at the physical and mental together and how one may effect the other.

I am dealing with this problem right now. And as I told my doctor I know my mental health is making my physical health worse.

Mo

[Keithotoole in reply to Dizzytwo]

Hi I am working with a group called healthy minds they say chronic pain such as fibro is definitely linked to depression and anxiety. These people are psychologist they have convinced me. And I am the biggest sceptic going. good luck.

[bluebell99]

Hi I understand your frustration, it is bizarre. I was refused ESA because I could eat in public and I was not incontinent! I don't know what type of work they think I could do, but I am sure it wouldn't involve eating in public. Never mind the pain, medication side effects, fatigue, etc.

Who knows what they base their decisions on.

In your case, I think I would ring them and ask if they have actually received all your extra information. By getting them to look at it again on the computer you will know if there is an error somewhere. Be calm and polite, however wound up you feel.

Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to bluebell99]

What is ESA ?

[rosewine in reply to Hidden]

Hidden it is Employment Support Allowance for those of working age who can't work because of illness. You have to have had enough national insurance contributions. Tons of filling in forms and normally an assessment all very stress inducing.x

[Funkyfaerie in reply to rosewine]

Hey Rosewine,

Do you know if you , receive ESA....does this effect your state pension when you finally get it!

I am about to embark on a journey to leave work because of my health.

Thanks JX

[bluebell99 in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Hi

If you are in receipt of ESA, or Carers Allowance your National Insurance contributions are credited to you.

You can find more information at GOV.UK which is very helpful if you are having problems at work too. It covers Employers responsibility to offer reduced hours and also adaptations to the workplace.

Check your Contract of Employment to see what your company could do for you regarding time off.

[Funkyfaerie in reply to bluebell99]

Thx Bluebell,

But I have paid in 43 years, so I have paid in enough. I am 62, but I can't retire till 2020 when I am 66, nightmare!

I wanted to know if my actual monthly pension amount will be reduced?

Sorry I didn't explain myself very well.

[Hidden in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Can I but across here? I get ESA and I was advised that is tops up your N.I contributions for retirement even if they don,t actually pay you a monthly allowance that side of it is looked after to avoid giving pension credits later down the line! I believe there is contribution based ESA and income based ESA but either or get a N.I top up. IN order to get this I have to continuously hand in a sick note every 3 months stating I will not be able to return to a job. (the nightmares I had getting this sick note to a sorting office for ESA is another story) . My employers gave me early retirement pension which is very low hence the ESA allowance.

[rosewine in reply to Funkyfaerie]

Unfortunately, when you come to State Pension age ESA normally finishes. There are other benefits that you may be able to claim such as Pension Credit etc so I would see someone like an advisor at the CAB to find out what your exact situation would be. Good luck with it.x

[Grams41 in reply to bluebell99]

When I was first turned down for ESA support group I appealed and sat before the panel which was then a judge and a doctor. I was told that because I could pick up a glass of water it meant I couldn't be in the support group. My husband was with me and asked if they knew how much pain I was in? The woman judge said it wasn't a consideration and she then turned to him and said she was sorry that HE had to go through this! How I didn't lose my temper with her I'll never know. When I later went for another assessment I was put straight in the support group after a ten minute chat. Now I'm just waiting to hear about PIP so here we go again and they don't think all this affects our mental health!

As my old mum would've said Chin up don't let them get to you! Good luck to us all! We need it .👍🏼

[Hidden in reply to bluebell99]

Wow bluebell99 that's awful. Who do these assesors think they are? have they got the notion from somewhere or someone that anyone on a benefit should be confined to indoor life only? I would love to know who sets the paper questions/ tick box assessments and challenge them about dignity and respect for disabled people!

[TheAuthor]

It is a very complicated scenario and it quite often feels that one illness scores higher than the other?

[rosewine]

They just don't seem to look at the person as a whole and how one thing impacts on another. They don't seem to have a joined up way of thinking about anything.x

[RayB in reply to rosewine]

Rosewine,

In my book that is called " Divide and conquer ! "

Ray

[rosewine in reply to RayB]

So right Ray thanks couldn't think of the saying at 5 am brain not firing on many cylinders, nothing unusual there then many would say, lol.x

[Shazzzy]

They don't think full stop

[RayB in reply to Shazzzy]

On the contrary,,, I would argue the problem lies with the way the system is designed. It is functioning exactly as it was intended to function by dividing the major problems up it diminishes the difficulties people have getting through life into single little issues that can be easily dismissed.

I say the problem is not that they think to little,,,, of course the people who do the so called "assessments" have most likely all got a good brainwashing on how everyone that makes it through the door is fine and just a benefit cheat,,, not unfortunate victims of ill-health.

[Icenae]

If you have had any consultations or medication for depression i would have thought that would count. I think many of us have some depression but dont tell anyone about it and suffer in silence. Just shows you should talk to your gp about it. My hubby is now on tablets in his 60's. Suffered all those years until our daughters took him to gp (mainly because he seemed angry all the time) and gp was really supportive. If only he had gone years ago my life would have been better

Best of luck.

[Mrsb07 in reply to Icenae]

I am happy that you have a happier husband now I have been to the docs about my depression and had medication just last year and nothing was on my medical report

[Icenae in reply to Mrsb07]

You need to talk to your gp about that. They have to record medications prescribed. I had my list printed off of medical conditions and meds and they had missed off loads, including my pacemaker!! So I mentioned these to the Gp and she added them there and then. But I know I am lucky, our docs are mostly young and agreeable.

[Mark101]

If depression is recorded with the doctor or you have had treatment of any kind then it always counts under law. For example, it has to be taken into account by the law if you are debit.

[Mrsb07 in reply to Mark101]

I have had medication just last year for depression but there is nothing on my medical report I have had a copy and it says nothing about depression

[Multijo]

I resisted getting mental health help and support for a couple of years. Finally I could no longer manage productively and found a super helpful psychiatrist after a couple false starts.

I am a believer in the link. Mental emotional and physical. It's a all our health