I have been on Incapacity Benefit for a while due to Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

I am about to be invited to a medical to justify my entitlement to benefits and have heard horror stories about these medicals for people with mental health issues. If you can prove your leg doesn't work, you're fine, but how do you prove your brain doesn't?

I am doing ok these days and am making baby steps back into the world, starting to look for work (part time at first).

the thing is, if you met me you would think there was nothing wrong with me. However my GP and Psychologist have both told me that if and when I start looking for work I need to do so on my own terms, to go slowly and be in control. To go on Job Seekers' Allowance could place too much stress on me which could cause a major relapse.

But the government has decided that targets are the most important thing, they have to get 1 million people off Incapacity Benefit. I don't get that. Why have a target, why not just screen each person as an individual.


But no. It's all about targets. The organisation that does the medicals is not part of the government, but a profit-based organisation that has targets for getting people off Incapacity Benefit and just use a computer-based system to judge your health, based on points for what you can or can't do.

The thing is, there is no consultation with your medical professionals. It's all done on how you look during a 30-minute examination on a particular day. Someone I know who has a chronic mental health condition made the mistake of honestly telling the "doctor" that they were having a good day. Now, most people with any experience of mental health would know that they fluctuate and refer to the claimant's GP for clarification. But this person saw the report the "doc" had written after the examination, which said: "has no problem with everyday activities". The fact that a good day was a rare thing for this person meant nothing.

I am really scared. I was starting to take control of my life, going to the gym, cycling, to get fit because I wanted to get back to work. This has knocked me back.

Now I daren't go out, fearing that someone might see me walking down the street and think because I can walk on a given day I am ok.

I realise there are people who abuse the system. But this is not the way to go about things.

If you are on Incapacity Benefit you get help to get back to health and find work, that's what I want and need.






I am very stressed about this. I want to get back to work as I'm bored stiff at home. I am not cheating the system.

any experience/advice?

I used to be involved with this professionally, David, but about ten years ago, so there will no doubt have been some changes. Just answer all the questions honestly but as you would answer them on an average day, even if you are having a good one. If you feel your assessor is not being thorough enough, or ignoring any relevant factors which affect your ability to work, make a mental note of this, likewise with any behaviour which could be considered unprofessional in any way.

There's no need to panic. Even if the decision goes against you, you can still ask for it to be reconsidered, and if this fails, you can go through the appeals process. That is your opportunity to get your GP, or any specialist who has been involved in your treatment involved. Back in my day, a surprisingly high proportion of appeals I was involved in were successful, maybe as many as 50%. Can't speak for the current situation though.

David I'm on ESA,due to stress and diabetes.I failed a medical back in July.It is now being professionally appealed.I got free legal help,and will give you the details if needed.
The medical was a joke,no real mention of mental problems,or even my physical problems.

If it does fail,no big problem,just appeal as mentioned before,get the free legal help,then sit around without any hassles for 3-6 months while they get round to doing something.In the meantime put in as many complaints as you can.Easy enough to find fault,they'll get the message,especially if you threaten the press.You'll be surprised how much they'll do for an easy life.

I've never been on incapacity or had mental health issues, but I can imagine that going through an interrogation followed by a review followed by an appeal process can lead to a stress overload. This seems to be all about numbers/statistics/targets with no compassion or humanity.

It is shocking that they can do a medical on Mental Health Issues. For instance a schizophrenic can seem perfectly normal one minute.....and we all know what can happen the next if meds go wrong. Not only that - anyone who has suffered any sort of breakdown knows that it take a long time to heal. The mind is the most important part of our bodies. It often takes years to restore someone back to "who" they were before. For many they may never get there.

This sort of thing says that GPs and Specialists are NOT TO BE TRUSTED - because the GOVERNMENT DOCTOR knows best.

They need to save BILLIONS. They want to move everyone off incapacity benefit as quick as possible to save money.

So good luck and basically get some coping structures in place.

In a time like this the weak and vulnerable are always the first to be taken advantage of.

Gordon Brown is giving BILLIONS to the rich bankers - is giving BILLIONS in foreign aid : whilst denying support to the ordinary people of the UK. The MAN is just plain EVIL. There is no other word to describe what he is doing to the weak and poor and vulnerable in this country.

Luckily LABOUR MPS are beginning to revolt. They are beginning to see through the lies. I hope more start to resign and perhaps force an early election before BROWN can destroy what is left of the UK.

sadly it's happening everywhere ...and mental disabilities are still largely not recognised especially by governments.

Find a good shrink or doctor..that's your best bet.

I just got my doctor..ok he's a friend.. to get me a special parking permit. He said "I'll have to say your really barking mad".."and I am " I replied.

Later when I walked away with my new special parking permit that allows me to park anywhere without fees..I read what he had written.."has constant thoughts about knives and stabbing people.."!. All I wanted was a permit for 6 months..got one for 5 years.

just get a friendly doctor..they are around.

BR wrote:
It is shocking that they can do a medical on Mental Health Issues. For instance a schizophrenic can seem perfectly normal one minute.....and we all know what can happen the next if meds go wrong. Not only that - anyone who has suffered any sort of breakdown knows that it take a long time to heal. The mind is the most important part of our bodies. It often takes years to restore someone back to "who" they were before.

very well said, BR.

I have been told by various medical professionals that these "doctors" have no understanding of mental health at all, and are very dismissive of any conditions that fluctuate, which mental health conditions invariably do.

I want to get back to work, but feel any efforts I make will be held against me.

oh, and thanks for telling your experience IA.

My GP has said it's quite possible I will fail the initial exam but that he is "very confident we can win this on appeal". The thing is, I can't afford to appeal. I have no money- nada. Well, I know my Dad would help me out, but at my age I don't want to be doing that.