Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

[Cynic]

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

Thanks Teaboy2, I'll organise myself for that, and try to be adequately psyched up on the day to carry it through.

[teaboy2]

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

First of all ask the assessor what his or her medical profession or back ground is, and if they are qualified mental health professional. If not then refer them to what BB mentioned above and ask for meeting to be rearrange so that you may be assessed by a person with the correct qualifications and experience in the mental health profession, and that you would likes said meeting to be recorded.

If they are qualified, state that you had requested that the meeting be recorded and as that is not possible, you would like the meeting to be rearrange, in fact write it on paper (before you go to the meeting) and get them to sign a photo copy of it and give them the original unsigned version, whilst you keep the signed photocopy. That way you are covered.

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

You should:

1. put in writing your request for recording and send the request by Recorded Delivery
2. take someone with you who can restrain you when you get angry and start turning green...

[Cynic]

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

Probably my paranoia, but even though I phoned to request a recording of my assessment, I am convinced that I will turn up and they will deny all knowledge. If this does happen, how should I react? Should I refuse to go ahead, unrecorded? Should I try to sort out something so that I can surreptitiously record it?

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

It does not seem at all bizarre to me - your underlying mental state or "expectation" (for want of a more apposite word) seems to determine how you would react to an external stimulus.

[Cynic]

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

How rapidly do you tend to cycle from "high" to "low"?

Without any external influence, it may be anything from a few hours to a few weeks, when faced with something (which I find) hard to handle change can occur very quickly, in either direction, for example if the phone rings unexpectedly, I might be frightened to answer it, or, I might assume that it's a spam call and answer it in an aggressive tone. Bizarre, I know, but that's how it is.

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

How rapidly do you tend to cycle from "high" to "low"?

[Cynic]

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

Bluebottle thanks for that;- I have had my moments in the past with creativity and projects, that is part of the problem, when on a high I take on the impossible, and the arrival of reality sends the pendulum the other way.
One of my concerns about the WCA is that I no longer see either my consultant, or CPN as (with their help) I had settled into a quiet sort of stability without regular medication (which always either exacerbated my problem or put me into a zombie like state).

[bluebottle]

Re: Forthcoming ATOS assessment.

There has recently been a ruling by the Upper Tier Tribunal about ATOS using people who are not Mental Health Professionals to carry out WCAs on claimants who have mental health issues. In the case mentioned, ATOS allowed a physiotherapist to carry out the WCA. Also, the accuracy of WCAs has been brought into question.

I know people with bi-polar and, to be honest, in my experience, I have found them to be intelligent and, in some cases, wonderfully creative people who have produced some fantastic artwork. If you have any worries about the WCA, can I suggest you discuss them with your CPN or consultant?