Claiming PIP for BPD (UK)

I am interested in what your experience is of claiming PIP for borderline personality disorder. My experience has been reasonable but I understand other people have been treated badly. The assessment itself seems like one of the 'worst' triggers for BBD. I've not had to attend an assessment until this time around. I am genuinely concerned about my mental state after. How did you cope?

[Missy_D]

I was awarded PIP after my second application, and my award started just over a year ago. I had my husband with me but unlike my first assessment the assessor was much more empathetic towards me. It did trigger my emotions and I cried for most of it. I also started to get into a rage but my husband knows how to handle it. He is of the opinion that it probably helped me as I was on my "best behaviour " for my first one. I would strongly recommend you don't go to your assessment on your own, but good luck and I hope you get awarded it x

[Poohbear76]

Hi I don't have bipolar but PTSD in all honesty my first assessment was not good I ended up wanting to punch the woman and leave.

I did not but she asked some very personal Questions I was triggered. I have also had a home visit which went really well for PIP that went really well. It was done by a psychiatric nurse, I also have a chronic pain condition. I would advise you take someone with you and talk about your bad days.

Unfortunately they try to ask you the same thing in different ways. Just be honest and take any evidence you have with you. They want to know your typical day or most days, I wrote a diary of things I could do and things I could not I also wrote how my mood was how it changes hourly. I was asked if I get washed every day do I change my underwear daily ( yes that personal).

Go in as prepared as you can be take written notes of what you want to say. Hope this helps ? x

[Missy_D in reply to Poohbear76]

I forgot to mention the horrible personal and intimate questions they asked. Truly awful. In fact I think I got my husband to answer them because, like you, I was trying not to lose it x

[Hidden in reply to Missy_D]

Thanks for your response I do have an advocate to go with me. This assessment shouldn't of really come around because they have enough evidence but my doctor made an error on his evidence. I know this because I have a printout of what he wrote. I feel gutted.

[Missy_D in reply to Hidden]

Even with all the evidence (psychiatric reports, doctors reports etc) I had to a face to face assessment. Also do not go in a blame your GP. You need to accept that you have been asked for a face to face assessment, but remember when you answer a question always base your answer on your worst day. So, for example, when I was asked about washing my husband answered for me telling them that he will not let me go more then 5 days without a bath or shower, he would run me a bath, physically put me in the bath and then wash me.

[Poohbear76 in reply to Hidden]

I have always had to have a face to face even with a cPTSD with severe depression and disassociative features diagnosis. Letter from my Psychologist weekly visits to trauma therapy. Along side chronic pain. condition morphine four hourly plus naproxen plus amitriptyline to sleep. I had all this evidenced and they STILL want a face to face. Unfortunately it is what it is,no one likes going to them, but we have to UNLESS you try to get a home visit?

[Zelda123]

I had a mentor with me when I went in. I ended up with really bad anxiety and fatigue afterwards. Asking if I change my underwear everyday 😩 it’s ridiculous

[Poohbear76 in reply to Zelda123]

Hi Zelda yep I had that question ! I cannot believe what they ask ! I was asked for details of a rape I suffered ! Details ! It seems that nothing is off limits to these "health care professional s"

[Hidden in reply to Poohbear76]

Details of a rape? Too far. I'm so sorry to hear that. Awful. Please say that you've made a complaint? It's vital you do this for you and for other people going to this who may not be able to cope with that kind of question and end up destroying themselves with drink and drugs!

[Zelda123 in reply to Poohbear76]

They don’t care about you .. at all.. they constantly try to trip you up like treating you as though your a liar and it’s very damaging to your own mental well being.. I could have mentioned to them about a early termination while I was very very unwell and mental off the wall.. but couldn’t due to knowing both pip and DWP would want me to go through it again in detail and it hurts .. I already hate myself enough.. hate myself for having mental health conditions.. hate myself for not being able to recover after a autoimmune issue.. all my efforts to get well have left me feeling defective and useless.. no one understands unless you’ve been through it.. it’s horrendous ..

[Hidden in reply to Zelda123]

I don't think that's ridiculous I think it's reasonable to get an idea if you can look after yourself clothes wise. I had to talk about not being able to wash myself after going to the toilet! If I hadn't of mentioned it they wouldn't know that I needed support with that issue. It's vital they know.

[Zelda123 in reply to Hidden]

It is ridiculous considering all my evidence regarding my health concerns were given to them. Your the only person to think that it’s ok for them to ask those kinds of questions.. do you know how much damage that interview did to my mental health afterwards.. the vigorous ends to try and trip you up just to make sure you aren’t a liar.

I spent a month recovering from that interview because I thought I was making progress to realise that after my answers I wasn’t making any.. and that my life had truly gone from being fulfilled prosperous and healthy to being in pain, prisoner in my own home and mentally unwell.. where I did nearly get myself sectioned at the DWP.

If it hadn’t of been my friend who was with me who gave me a lift to the mental health team to talk about my meds..

a full F&@“ing month of depression.. thinking about how much I really can’t do the things I could.. and how much of a slob I felt and feel ... those questions are damaging .. and there is zero sensitivity to those with mental health issues aswell as other physical issues

[Hidden in reply to Zelda123]

I'm afraid I had it just as bad, so I do you think those questions are okay if it helps them get an idea of what is written on the form and what comes out of your mouth.

Not all of these assessors are out to get you I know that for a fact.

You are lucky to have your friend there with you and you are lucky that you didn't come to any physical harm because I did.

I ended up cutting into my neck after being asked if I'd ever been put in a mental ward for depression, I starved for three months and now have permanent pain in my spine because of it and I was so anxious after my assessment last week, I clenched my jaw so hard I broke one of my teeth. I phoned Samaritans almost every night for the whole time. Its been going on for six months. I've had a personality change because of it. Clearly I don't like the idea that questions are hurting you.

I think under the circumstances to make sure that you get the award that you are entitled to these questions are appropriate.

The assessors need to clarify things so if it's written on the form you can be expected to talk about it.

My example is this: initially I didn't like the idea that my doctor mention my pain on his dorm when I told him not to as I didn't on mine! However, if he hadn't of mentioned it I would've looked like a right idiot in my assessment, because I couldn't even sit up in their chair without pain. (The pain I got from starving) I had to do my assessment lying on a couch with a pillow under my backside. That's when my assessor had to ask me loads of questions that I didn't expect and we had to talk about my bowel habits even talking about number two this time..arhhhh...because I hadn't mentioned the pain on my form! So they needed to know why I was in that state, why my doctor said one thing and I didn't say something else. My mental illness was written in detail on all of the forms that they got and my psychiatric report but I still had to talk about my bipolar disorder. The point of the f2f is just to make sure that everything adds up, what's written down about 'such a person' (you or me) is the same as the one they're talking to in the room. Wishing you well.

[Hidden]

Bro is it really that bad I'm considering getting one when I turn 18 soon I have severe anxiety and depression and can't go to college or work as a result ... I've had times where I wanted to smack my gp too and I think if they asked me about my panties I would just lose it ... That's too personal and bang out of order thanks for telling me I won't consider it anymore even if it means getting a small benefit

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Please make sure you try and get what you're entitled to. Not everybody get asked the same questions so don't be frightened by people making comments here. My assessment was much easier than I thought it would be and everybody around me was kind and supportive. Some of the horror stories me off but it was fine! Just except they may ask you something about your toilet habits and just deal with it, if it means you get your money just do it. Or don't say you have a problem with it and I won't need to ask questions.it's up to you. Just get what you deserve.

[NidgyNadj66 in reply to Hidden]

I disagree. Every penny counts when you are not able to work. If you believe that you are entitled to make a claim then do so. Your experience might be different from any other person’s experience.

[ToxicCrimson]

I myself have been debating on applying for PIP myself - I suffer (yes I do say suffer) from BPD on a daily basis and it makes life incredibly difficult for me. In fact people expect me to do everything normal and do not understand that it takes a lot more for me to do normal things! I find people around me make me feel they are disappointed in the fact that I cannot fulfill everyday tasks/apply for a new job/not cry when I leave my boyfriend/have trouble leaving the house/washing and many many more!

I have found that after fighting for diagnosis of BPD that was where I was left - I have been told that the therapy I had BEFORE my diagnosis meant I could not have any more (3 months cognitive analytical therapy and 1 year group therapy) was all I could have and even with a diagnosis I cannot have dialectical behavioural therapy (used by those who have BPD to manager their emotions) due to the fact that I am "not suicidal enough" and am now left in the dark completely.

Would PIP actually give me support in dealing with day to day life? I have no idea I am not fully knowledgeable in the matter and am so scared to try after all the horrible stories o have heard from others

It's nice to know that there are like minded people as myself and I am not alone

[Hidden in reply to ToxicCrimson]

I'm going to be here to support you so don't worry I've got bipolar and BPD and I've lived with BPD for 20 years. I know how we get treated! The extra money for PIP is to help with extra things you need to do looking after yourself. You don't need to get the help. You are showing you need the help. EG. You would probably go out whenever you wanted if you had someone with you or to remind you EG: you would probably wash your hair / get out of bed if someone was reminding you. EG: you would probably self harm less if someone was there to check up on you. You may have many other more reasons. You just need to show there is reasonable need to have help for yourself, you don't need to spend money on the help when you get it.

Disability comes with extra costs and that's what it's for. You can get it if you're in work or not. Just Google about applying for PIP and go from there. I'll be here.

[ToxicCrimson in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for your reply it means a lot to have support from others right now =)

I've met a few people who have both BPD and bi polar I wonder why they come hand in hand so often..do u know yourself at all Jake?

It's hard to guage what it is specifically that I need help for - it's like an overall understanding I wish more people had (for those with mental health issues) It just takes longer for me to do everything and I get stuck in a comfortable bubble very often -could u get PIP for that?

I'm scared of the discrimination and not being taken seriously - I may not be actively self harming but that doesn't mean I am not depressed

Are they any specific sites u recommend to read about PIP? I know there's the gov website but they are strict guidelines rather than actual information I have found

Ugh my mind is frantic I can't write properly these days it's just like word vomit sometimes lol too many thoughts and wayyy too many feelings

[Hidden in reply to ToxicCrimson]

Hi. In think people with bipolar and BPD as a mix maybe because the parent had bipolar and was such a poor care giver they caused BPD. As BPD is not normally passed on. It's more to do with trauma etc. I found a website you can look at. Try not to think about PIP for just harm. If you are too depressed to look after yourself, you would qualify.

This link points to when you go for an assessment but it also talks about specifics in a casual way. There is lots here.

citizensadvice.org.uk/benef...

Look down the right hand side and that's how to claim. Now you have all the info you'll need to see if you want to go for it.

I'm waiting for the outcome of mine. Should be about six weeks.

Best

Jake

[NidgyNadj66 in reply to ToxicCrimson]

First thing that you need to understand is that Personal Independence Payment is in addition to any other money that you receive from the DWP for your disabilities. This money is for the additional expenses that one has due to being a disabled person. It should not be taken into account for example, when you have to pay back your debts. PIP does not include treatment for any disability but it does provide the money to pay for any treatment privately, when necessary. There are two rates of payment: standard and enhanced. Enhanced PIP on the mobility section means that you might be eligible for the Motabiliy scheme for example. I trust that this makes things clearer for you?

[Hidden]

I'm normally not asked to go because the assessment itself can result in me killing myself. That's the difference. They did offer a home appointment for having those people in my home is worse than me having to go! We had to balance it out and 'hope for the best'. EG, if I did hurt myself or kill myself it wasn't down to them.

It was fine in the end.