"Mental Health and PIP"

I have been claiming Disability Allowance for a mental health issue and recently had to apply for PIP.  Part of the assessment procedure was that a GP was asked to fill in a form ‘Request for Further Medical Evidence’.  The instructions contained the following: “Please advise on this ladies diagnosed condition and the variability of her symptoms” , “you should base your report on your knowledge of the patient and on her records”, “examples of information that is particularly useful to us for the following conditions: Mental health ... documented history of self-harm, self neglect, detailed mental state findings, history of admissions, voluntary or compulsory, regular prescriptions...”

My diagnosed conditions (Borderline/emotional personality disorder and acute anxiety) were provided although the dates of diagnosis were wrong. No symptoms or variability were given, although this was answered with ‘patient lives alone, History of multiple overdoses, mum supportive’.  Clinical findings were stated ‘as above’, treatment, current, planned, response and prognosis were given as ‘please see attached sheet’, which when queried I was told this was a copy of a recent prescription. 

With regard to ‘Mental health ... documented history of self-harm, self neglect, detailed mental state findings, ...’ The many times I had been to see the doctor regarding my poor mental health and suicidal thoughts, the times I had self-harm injuries dressed/steri-stripped by the Nurse Practitioner or nurse, and the time a GP was so concerned for my welfare I was told to go to my mother’s house straight away and the crisis team visited me within half an hour, none of these were mentioned. I got the impression that my records had not been consulted at all.  

The request stated, ‘please reply within 5 working days’ and my appointment was for three weeks from the date on the letter - although I had seen a GP two weeks prior to let them know I had applied for PIP and that they may get a request for information.  As Department of Work & Pensions didn’t receive the information within the given timescale I had to endure one of the most traumatic events I have ever suffered, a formal interview to try and prove I have a mental health illness. When I queried the delay in response from the GP I was advised they were on annual holiday leave.  Whatever happened to ‘you can be seen by any doctor as they all have the same access to your records?’  Could another doctor not have filled in this ‘factual’ report?  

My application for PIP was denied.  I then consulted with Citizens Advice Bureau giving them access to all of the above and was advised that the reason I most probably didn’t qualify (I was 1 point short) was due to the lack of information in the doctor’s report, and an incorrect statement, which had probably done more harm than good.  I was then advised to get in contact with the GP again asking for them to reconsider my situation basing answers on Mental health rather than physical health, and even asking for a written statement rather than completing questions, if the doctor would prefer.   I had no response so the next time I visited the surgery I asked about the information I had requested.  Whilst sitting in the waiting room a member of staff approached me and quite loudly said “Dr .... won’t be filling these in as they don’t live with you” then walked away. I felt humiliated in front of other patients, particularly due to my diagnosed illnessess being Borderline/Emotional personality disorder and acute anxiety.  When I came out from seeing a GP about a different matter I asked to make an appointment with the GP who had filled out the original form (incorrectly) only to be told that the doctor had already said they wouldn’t fill in any more forms for me so they wouldn’t make an appointment.

When I left the doctors practice I felt so upset, disrespected, humiliated and angry I went to the nearest coffee shop and took a rather large overdose, one of symptoms of borderline/emotional personality disorder.

Completing forms like this may seem a small matter to the GP but I am now having to face the trauma of attending a tribunal to prove I have a mental illness that affects my daily living, an illness from which 10% of sufferers will die from, either by suicide (intended or not), or self harm.