Finding the benefit process overwhelming

Benefits and Work

I am finding the benefit process so overwhelming. I've finally been diagnosed with both ASC and ADHD, along with my mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorder, my functional seizures and pain. My worry is that benefits don't seem to let you have much of a life. I struggle with medication but I'd like to be able to exercise or even visit the gym at 2am in the morning.

Even though I have ASC, my psychiatrist recommended joining a football team. In the past I was able to cope with a 10-14 man football social team. Most of the players also have ASC. The rest of the time I'd spend my time at home. So it's an ASC friendly environment and it was one hour a week - but I feel this would go against me in any kind of ESA/PIP kind of application.

It literally feels like you can't have a life, even if that life is just one hour a week of trying to attend an activity that benefits your health and wellbeing.

Mods can't tell you what to do Anxious Anonymous, nor should I. Doctors can recommend what you should do.
So, you do say your "psychiatrist recommended joining a football team" If so, why not give it a go, and if benefits people do question you about it, refer them to your psychiatrist. He/she should be willing to back you up by confirming they advised it, and that it is a mostly-ASC group.
Best wishes,
Denby

You do make some great points. I did find an article that highlights the issues around exercise and benefit claimants. I don't know if you'd like to take a read but it makes some interesting points:

ukdeafsport.org.uk/the-activity-trap-benefits-or-being-fit/

From my point, I do require some support to engage in any meaningful activity. So I effectively need to be encouraged, prompted and have someone plan and follow the journey there and back due to severe anxiety.

How this relates to what the psychiatrist suggested. Well, it would effectively be socialising for one hour a week. The fact I don't socialise anymore due to neurodiversity and the mental health issues linked to that, has actually impacted my physical health to the point I'm in a lot of pain, fatigue and I'm now obese.

So in order for me to work, get better or have some kind of meaningful life then I'm going to have to try and take the advice of doing even just one hour of exercise a week, that's in a comfortable and safe environment.