they've finally summoned me

[clairew1991]

Well it's my turn now to face the dreaded Atos.

 

A bit of background. I have Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression and currently waiting to get a support worker via a charity.

 

Anyway I got the dreaded letter today and I am so scared about it that I cannot sleep. I can feel my heart pound out of my chest.

 

All I've seen is doom and gloom about these people that they fail nearly everyone. Has anyome had a "decent" experience specifically those with MH problems?

 

What can I expect? Any advice or tips with how to deal wirh them?

 

Before anyone requests I take someone. I can't. I've literally none to come back me up. I've driven most people away with my stupid mood swings and paranoia.

 

All help and advice will truly be appreciated. I'm just so scared stiff right now.

[citizenB]

I rather suspect as with anything else, you only ever hear the bad side of ATOS. Those people who sail through with no problems, very rarely let us know.

 

Truly sorry you have isolated yourself, however, would someone from the Charity be able to go with you ? I am sure they will understand your situation.

[rebel11]

Hi claire1991

 

Welcome to CAG

 

The first thing is to calm down, do what ever it takes to relax, play some nice music, it is the fear of the unknown. When it's over, you will laugh at yourself and say 'what was I worried about?'

 

As for ATOS their motivation is the money they get paid, so they do what ever it takes to get that money.

 

First thing is to phone them up, tell them that you want your Assessment Recorded, when you are there, check that the equiptment is working and you get a copy of the Recording at the end of the assessment.

 

Take a copy of the ESA 50 form with you, you can refer to it. Print out a copy of your meds and side effects, take that with you, take your meds with you.

 

Take your doctors / consultations report with you, they will photocopy.

 

You might be surprised to hear that you have more control over this then you think. ATOS doctors / HCP aren't trained with MH problems.

 

http://www.rethink.org/resources/w/work-capability-assessment-factsheet

[honeybee13]

Hello there.

 

Here's a link to the forum stikky about Atos 'medicals' which tells you how to answer the questions. The doctor at mine was transfixed by the computer screen and hardly looked at me. Try to keep calm and bear in mind what leemack says in the stikky.

 

HB

[clairew1991]

Update: my cousin is coming with me to the app. Cos hes seen me grow up into this mess. So I feel slightly better. Just want it over and done with and put out of my misery and get appeal proceedings started (cos no doubt they'll fail me for breathing)

[rebel11]

That's excellent clairew.

 

Update: my cousin is coming with me to the app. Cos hes seen me grow up into this mess. So I feel slightly better. Just want it over and done with and put out of my misery and get appeal proceedings started (cos no doubt they'll fail me for breathing)

[hatsanman]

how long have you been waiting to see atos ? ive been on esa now since dec 17th 2013 and still not heard a word from them in fact ive just emailed them asking why its taking so long as I cant wait. im 61 and have several problems and my doctors as I see 3 have put my doctors notes out now to 2 months at a time but still no atos. good luck when you see them and keep your chin up.