So I've had my PIP assessment with Capita (I don't want to say exactly where because I don't want to risk being identified). The main reason for my claim was for my social anxiety/difficulty getting outside/using public transport and also for the depression side for the days when I can't get out of bed.
I took 2 family members into the assessment and recorded it, if you want to record it it has to be on a CD or cassette tape (dead formats huh!) and you can't use tablets/laptops/phones etc, it has to be a recorder only. You also have provide the assessor with a copy at the end of your assessment. It's best to let them know a few daus beforehand too.
Obviously I was extremely distressed because talking to a stranger is extremely difficult for me and I was shaking and found it difficult to breathe and kept having to take my inhaler. Not an easy experience.
The assessment itself wasn't as bad as I expected. She asked about how I manage to do daily things such as getting dressed/showered, getting about, using public transport, how I manage my diabetes care and my medication and how often I struggle with these. I explained that it's variable and that seemed to be OK. She did ask about SH but it wasn't too detailed, just asked what methods I use, how often it happens and whether I need medical attention or not. She also asked about SUI thoughts and this wasn't too detailed, she didn't as about specific plans or details of previous attempts, just how often I get them and how I deal with them. She asked about the treatment plan, how often I see the doctor, am I under the MH teams, am I on medication for my MH and at what doses.
Not a pleasant experience but it could have been much worse. I've heard a lot of horror stories about these assessments and thankfully mine wasn't too bad, it seemed to go as well as these assessments can go. I don't know if they were nicer because I had people supporting me and because I recorded the assessment, that is a possibility. I don't know what the outcome will be yet though...
I was extremely stressed about this assessment and it caused me to do quite a bit of harm to myself but I hope my experience helps to reassure others.
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