A very good friend of mine suffers bad acrophobia and has a medical doctor comin!


Question: A very good friend of mine suffers bad acrophobia and has a medical doctor coming out to visit!?
a very good friend of mine suffers bad agrophobia and has a medical doctor coming out to visit him, he also suffers from panick disorder i think its called i've known him for many years and he has only confided in me not many people know about his illness, he keeps asking will he get took of benifits if they dont beleive him!? what do i tell him to him any one with this experience could you please answer no jokers please thank you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Hi Smudge

These links to the Mind website may help

How to cope with panic attacks:
http://www!.mind!.org!.uk/Information/Bookl!.!.!.

Troubleshooter: Panic Attacks:
http://www!.mind!.org!.uk/Information/Bookl!.!.!.

Understanding phobias:
http://www!.mind!.org!.uk/Information/Bookl!.!.!.

the information is easy to read and understand!.

These next links are all related to benefits and how and what your friend would be entitled to -

Managing on benefits:
http://www!.mind!.org!.uk/Information/Bookl!.!.!.

Direct!.gov (Government website)

Financial support - for people with disabilities:
http://www!.direct!.gov!.uk/en/DisabledPeop!.!.!.

DLA (Disability Living Allowance) links
Medical examination:
http://www!.direct!.gov!.uk/en/DisabledPeop!.!.!.

IB (Incapacity Benefit)
Medical examination:
http://www!.direct!.gov!.uk/en/DisabledPeop!.!.!.

In both cases the medical examination is something that is routine (lots of people have to go through this process) and involves a Dr asking your friend lots of questions!. They will be about how his disability (illness) makes him feel and how it affects his ability to cope and live!.

IB medical examination:
http://www!.direct!.gov!.uk/en/DisabledPeop!.!.!.

IB: what happens next (after examination)
http://www!.direct!.gov!.uk/en/DisabledPeop!.!.!.

What is important for your friend to remember when answering is:

To be honest and tell the Dr how bad it is (not to be afraid of looking silly or being embarrassed)

To tell the Dr everything no matter how small it is (it may not seem relevant to your friend, but may be to the Dr)

To say exactly how it makes him feel if someone said to him that he had to go back to work (especially if that makes your friend feel scared and more upset and panicked by the thought of it and that he thinks he won't be able to cope)

Please try and reassure your friend that the Dr isn't there to trip him up or trick him into admitting that he isn't suffering or poorly - they want to know the facts, that is all!.

Yes both types of examination will be quite frightening for your friend, but I have attended both types (with clients and for my own disability), and for the person being examined it does cause added stress and anxiety!. There isn't anything anyone can do about that, and due to the nature of illness it is to be expected!.

What I would suggest is that your friend has someone with him when the examination takes place!.

Ideally it should be someone who has experience in this area and knows what to expect and so can talk your friend through what will happen etc!.

Contact your local mental health charity

http://www!.mind!.org!.uk/Mind+in+your+area!.!.!.

someone may be able to attend the examination to support your friend!.

People at your local Mind association are much less formal than the health services, so they will be able to reassure your friend and offer support!.

They are really easy to contact and your friend doesn't have to be referred by anyone else!. Get him to make a phone call (or you could do it for him), get down to his local centre and ask them for their advice and support!.

If you don't live in an area where there is a local Mind, then I suggest contacting Citizens Advice Bureau

http://www!.citizensadvice!.org!.uk/index/g!.!.!.

someone will be able to explain everything, but I'm not sure if anyone would be able to attend the examination with him!.

I realise this is a lot of information for you to take in, but to be honest I could say lots more!. So please use the links I have given for more in depth information!.

Mental illness is a valid reason for receiving benefits and is taken as seriously by the authorities as physical illness, but sometimes it helps if you can give more information because as we all know - you can't see a mental illness!

Hope this helps!.

Take care and good luck to both of you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Any doctor worth his salt will be able to tell that your friend is not lying!. If he's unlucky enough to get one who doesn't believe him, he can appeal against the decision!. There should be a Welfare Rights or Benefits Advice worker at the local council who could help with this!. There is also the benefits enquiry line on 0800 882200 - these people don't work for the benefits agencies and are safe to confide in!. Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

i am sure if he is not lying they will beleive him but idk!.honestly i did not know that you could get paid for that kind of illnessWww@Answer-Health@Com

no if he is having people come to his house then there is no reason why they should take him ofWww@Answer-Health@Com





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