hi. I have ptsd. I also have angina and blocked arteries. I was encouraged to go after pip as people said the extra money would help. the main reason for doing it was I am desperate for therapy and getting the extra money would mean I could go private and I wouldn't have to wait 34 weeks.I knew that I would probably have to go through an assessment to get some money. so I phoned up for the form. I had a panic attack . I went and got help twice to fill out the form both times I had a panic attack. I got the letter today saying I have a phone call in 11 days time. it caused a panic attack.
the reason I say this is I am worried. in 2012 atos wanted to assess me for moving onto esa. they wanted to know whether I was bad enough to go into the support group. I was on incapacity benefit at the time for heart problems and depression. when I got the letter about them phoning I began to worry about losing my benefits. I had heard some bad stories and I started to get chest pain because of it. I thought it was just anxiety.
I told atos the problems I was having and my doctor even spoke to them to say I would not be attending a interview or a call as it could cause a heart attack. atos would not give up. they said if I didn't talk to them I would lose my benefits. on the day of the call I phoned my doctor as I had had chest pain all night and I was worried something was happening. they called me in for a ecg. long story short I had a heart attack at my gps and spent a couple of days in hospital. atos then put me in the support group and left me alone.
I phoned the pip assessment line today to try and cancel my claim as I was worried the same thing would happen. I had a panic attack on the phone. i also had a tight chest. they told me to think about over the weekend.
my worry is that in trying to get money for ptsd therapy I could end up in hospital or worse. my question is should I stick with it and battle through or should I cut and run?
any advise will be well received.
thanks for you're time.