Options
Should I go on the sick?
![[Deleted User]](https://w8.vanillicon.com/v2/8a44d0a0b2fe6e3e8319ebb308d93f60.svg)
[Deleted User]
Posts: 20 Forum Member
✭
Hello, I am 21 years old and suffer from anxiety and very low self esteem. Up until a few weeks ago I was claiming Job Seekers Allowance and the Job Centre decided to put me on none paid work experience with The Range. I agreed and other than being anxious I was slightly looking forward to it and I was thinking positive. I only did two days as I found it very difficult dealing with people and doing a job in a competent manner which made me feel really bad about myself and I'm still feeling the effects of this experience weeks later.
The thought of having to go back was enough to make me quit and surrender my benefits so now I'm getting absolutely nothing. People who know me all say I'm not fit to work and that I should go on the sick whilst I receive help to try and overcome my feelings. I'm worried about this however as It's my dream to join the police force one day (not that I'd ever been remotely competent enough) and I'm worried that they will get free access to my medical records and deny me based on my mental health history.
I don't know what to do, I need an income as I've got about 50p in my account and my mother has had to help me these past few days which I really don't like. I try and do a part time Betterware distribution job but even that is too hard for me as I get anxious posting things through peoples letter boxes and delivering items to customers not to mention the fact that it's almost voluntary based on how poor the pay is.
How likely do you think it is that a poor mental health record (Counseling, anti depressants x2, going on the sick etc) would impact an application with the police 5-10 years from now when I'm hoping I've magically matured into a normal, competent person who knows how to interact in an adult world without being scared like everybody else and do you think I should go on the sick and get better?
Thanks for any help or advice that you may provide.
The thought of having to go back was enough to make me quit and surrender my benefits so now I'm getting absolutely nothing. People who know me all say I'm not fit to work and that I should go on the sick whilst I receive help to try and overcome my feelings. I'm worried about this however as It's my dream to join the police force one day (not that I'd ever been remotely competent enough) and I'm worried that they will get free access to my medical records and deny me based on my mental health history.
I don't know what to do, I need an income as I've got about 50p in my account and my mother has had to help me these past few days which I really don't like. I try and do a part time Betterware distribution job but even that is too hard for me as I get anxious posting things through peoples letter boxes and delivering items to customers not to mention the fact that it's almost voluntary based on how poor the pay is.
How likely do you think it is that a poor mental health record (Counseling, anti depressants x2, going on the sick etc) would impact an application with the police 5-10 years from now when I'm hoping I've magically matured into a normal, competent person who knows how to interact in an adult world without being scared like everybody else and do you think I should go on the sick and get better?
Thanks for any help or advice that you may provide.
0
Comments
I have anxiety, I am on anti-ds and in therapy. So I do understand how it can feel like it's taking over your life and stopping you living. I'll also tell you that there are many people that have their own issues, they just hide them and avoid dealing with them. What I'm saying is don't look around you and feel like everyone is is normal and competent but you're the only one that isn't. Loads of people can feel the same as you, you're not alone in that, ok?
I would in the first place see your GP. You don't have to take meds, but you might wish to. I didn't want to initially but did in the end, and they help take the edge off (rather than eradicate it completely). You may have to wait for any kind of therapy as the NHS Mental Health Services are struggling to keep up with the demand. There are places you can go to - MIND can tell you what else there is in your area. http://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/local-minds/
If you get help and support, you could address your anxiety and get on with getting another job. Without it, you could just stay where you are.
It's good having a goal but first you need to deal with the here and now - which is getting all the help you can - including financial support.
The reason he was rejected was that if he was in similar circumstances on duty they couldn't be certain he wouldn't behave in same way.
May not be what you want to hear but if you are suffering with anxiety the police may not want to take a risk incase you breakdown in a stressful situation.
At least then you will have an income. My advice would be to treat ESA as job seekers allowance but with less pressure. Keep hunting for a job even part time which you think you can handle.
Unless you find a job you will be called for a 'medical' at some point and that's when the stress really begins!
...and part-time volunteering is also a way to build up experience of work and of dealing with other people and that might be able to help too.
In the meantime, DanTheOutlaw can put in an application for Employment and Support Allowance and I would suggest that he reads about the process here https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview and that, if necessary, he gets help with filling out the form from his nearest Citizens Advice Bureau office (plug in the postcode here http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice.htm ).
Gosh I'm surprised at that. I'll have to eat my words earlier.
I wonder why the OP wants so much to join the police when at the moment they find even ordinary day to day situations difficult to handle? It's a bit like me with my terrible head for heights saying one day I want to be a tight rope walker.
Maybe it's that the notion represents being confident and in control.
OP?
Go to doctors and explain how you feel, tell him about the range and his up made you feel and I would hope he would suggest starting treatment in some way but he will hopefully give you a 'sick note' too and then at least you can get some income
Try and be positive and start now... The future will happen later at some point
I worked in a garden centre for a year whilst volunteering with the police as a civilian, both experiences got harder as time went on.
I want to join the police because I'm interested in the work they do, I would enjoy being part of that world if only I was capable which I'm not.
What do you mean "begging letter"?
Doesn't matter then because I've already got mental health on my record, thanks everybody for the advice but if they're going to be that strict then no point even considering it for one moment longer.
To be fair, I did want to join the police once (and I suffer from anxieties and things) - still 'sort of' would want to join, if it didn't involve going after people for stupid, insignificant things like pot.
There's something quite noble about wanting to uphold the law I guess.
If they sent you on mandatory work activity then that's different so maybe you need to check.
If you just never bothered signing on and let your claim close it would probably be quicker to get a rapid reclaim done for jobseekers than put in a new claim for ESA, that's if your gp will give you a sicknote.
Maybe you need to ask to see a disability adviser to see what other options there are for you regarding support to help you get into some work
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/taxidriver.aspx
You do have to have a medical but not sure how much weight they put on mental health.
I think you need a bit of outlay up front too.
Then you have to consider the age and condition of your car or if you lease one from a taxi company, possibly self employment insurance and things like that.
We see a lot of car part delivery drivers around here, how about something like that, or look at supermarket delivery driving, you know the ones that deliver on line shopping?
I'd have thought that this was a job that could cause quite a bit of anxiety - meeting strangers, non-paying customers, drunk people, traffic jams/road rage.
You're right, so would being in the police though. I am drawn to do jobs that are out of my reach entirely, unfortunately.
I hope your health improves and what you might care to think about if you're set on a career as a police officer is perhaps looking at being a voluntary special constable or a paid PCSO, for example.
Which I believe now have rigorous eligibility criteria, one of which is being physically and mentally able to do the work. I think that with the OP's present health concerns this will still be an issue - if he finds it too difficult to post things through people's doors and deliver online shopping to them, I'm not sure that he is cut out for the duties of a PCSO or special constable.
Better to think of things that don't bring the anxiety on and see if there are any jobs that fit that criteria whilst seeking counselling/treatment for the anxiety and self-esteem issues.