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Job Centre questioning my illness

Posted , 5 users are following.

denise35212
denise35212

I've suffered panic attacks and anxiety for 4 years.  Was made redundant last year, I'm volunteering 3 days per week and the job centre just don't understand my illness, anybody suffered that?.

I take amiltryptaline, gabapentin and peroxitine - they do help!!

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • amberstar33
    amberstar33 denise35212

    Posted

    I've found the job centre don't understand much to be honest! 
    • denise35212
      denise35212 amberstar33

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.

      Does anyone really understand unless they go through it?

    • amberstar33
      amberstar33 denise35212

      Posted

      I think everyone's experiences are unique to themselves.

      I've found I'm ok at work - I go to meetings in lots of different places and visit people in their own homes and I can manage that fine. I struggle to get myself out when I'm

      not working though. However last time I suffered anxiety I couldn't work as I just didn't think I could handle it. This time the routine of work is helping me so much. 

    • amberstar33
      amberstar33

      Posted

      I think it's really important to be in an environment where you are well supportive - at school, Uni or work. 
    • denise35212
      denise35212 amberstar33

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.

      Its good to know that other people are the same as me!!

      I have to plan my day and ensure that if I go out, someone is with me

    • amberstar33
      amberstar33 denise35212

      Posted

      I used to prefer to be on my own but now when I'm not at work I like go have someone with me. 
    • denise35212
      denise35212 amberstar33

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply.

      Anxiety and panic attacks I think are understated.  Think there is a lot of ignorance attached

  • simon04792
    simon04792 denise35212

    Posted

    Its true no1 understands unless they go through it to inc job centre. I suffer health anxiety really bad and when i panic i get people saying shut up u wuss ect and i feel alone at times but i just get on with it and its only my partner who reli understands and listens to me. Hope u get sorted and im sure you will be fine smile
    • denise35212
      denise35212 simon04792

      Posted

      Hi Simon,

      Got an assessment tomorrow in Edinburgh re my health condition.  Was dreading it, not anymore though.  This discussion forum has helped me lots!

  • dinky_dee
    dinky_dee denise35212

    Posted

    Hi Denise,

    don't get me started on the job centre!! Just going to that place made me have massive anxiety attacks. I'm self employed & do temping work & the stress I've been through just to get my money sorted out has been almost unbearable. Being on my own with 2 kids to support, they left me with no money for 3 months!! I was lucky at the time that I had some money in the bank otherwise I would have been down the local "massage parlour" just to feed my kids. There is a LOT of misscommunication between daprtments, the signing people don't know half the in & outs. The office that makes the decisions are so slow & "lose" your paperwork. Wouldn't suprise me if it was on purpose. Lots of cut backs & a constantly changing system makes everyone confused! Horrible place to deal with when having anxiety. I often felt condescended by half the staff there, but in the end I was lucky enbough to have a lady who'd been in a similar situation to me & she understood. Take the place with a massive pinch of salt is my advice. At least my local council are a bit moer efficient at sorting out the housing benefit payments otherwise I'd have gone completely mad!

    • denise35212
      denise35212 dinky_dee

      Posted

      Hi,

      Thanks for your words, I've a health assessment in Edinburgh tomorrow. Will see what happens - hopefully my money does'nt stop!!!.

      x

  • Alwaysworried
    Alwaysworried denise35212

    Posted

    I had a breakdown after losing my job and when I went for an assessment they said I had two arms and two legs therefore there is no reason I couldn't work.  If only they understood how it is an effort to even do day to day tasks let alone the pressure of a job with targets, performance reviews And the obligatory nasty manager. You are doing amazingly well to be volunteering three days a week.  I wouldn't be able to do that.  Good luck x
    • denise35212
      denise35212 Alwaysworried

      Posted

      Hi,

      I've an assessment tomorrow in Edinburgh re my health condition.  I was really dreading it, after joining this forum,chatting to other people, I'm more confident in going tomorrow!!. x

    • denise35212
      denise35212 Alwaysworried

      Posted

      Thanks for your kind words.

      Got a health assessment tomorrow in Edinburgh for my illness.  Will wait and see what happens!!.

      x

    • dinky_dee
      dinky_dee Alwaysworried

      Posted

      That's just disgusting!

      I know a lady who has a brain tumor & they told her to go back to work. She seems to repeat herself alot & gets migraines, I don't know her well enought to judge wether she's fit enough for work but she's in & out of hospital loads. How can someone hold down a job when they have serious issues. 

      I had a year off work with my depression/anxiety & did volunteering. That helped me but I had bad days & couldn't function properly. Made mistakes & had to work slower etc. 

      Employers aren't going to put up with people having health issues.

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