Paruresis

andrew wrote: I suffer from depression and anxiety and caused by a condition called SevereParuresis.It is an anxiety condition which means i amunable to urinate anywhere but at home and sometime not even at home if i have visitirs.I have been admitted into hospital for acute urinary retention tice in the past 4 years.Most of the questions on the Esa form are about incontinece and i suffer the comlete opposite.Acute urinary retention can be life threatening .I am wondering how to fill in the Esa form as i do not seem to fit into any category apart from the anxiety and depression .Hoping Someone can help
Many Thanks

Have a look at the Exceptional Circumstances criteria, Regulations 29 and 35, they may offer an alternative route to an award, however, as both of these are based on their being a danger to your health, you will need to provide specific evidence to support this.

Have you spoken to your GP and any Consultant as whether they will support you and how, it will be of significant help if they can articulate how you are affected.

You might also want to include some reference material with the ESA50, which explains about your condition and highlights the dangers to your health.

Gordon

andrew wrote: Thanks for your reply
I applied for esa last year and was placed in the support group i have now received a new esa50 form .I am not sure whether i was placed in support group last year due to my anxiety depression or due to my paruresis.the questionnaire was different last year and ii was able to explain my situation in one of the boxes.I don't know if my doctor will or won't support my application.i have tried to make an appointment to see him but its in two weeks time which is a couple of days after my esa form needs to be returned.Would supplying info from the paruresis society help do you think ?I am awaiting a psychiatric review and cbt therapy also ?
Thanks

Whilst you should be careful to do so, if you have already been placed in the Support Group then I would recommend you have a good look at your previous ESA50. Whilst there have been changes to the ESA Descriptors and Regulations, providing you can show that your condition has not improved and that you have not been able to adapt to your conditions, then much of what you previously wrote should still apply.

Yes, if there is a web site that specifically deals with this condition then this would be a good source to use, try not to overwhelm those reading your ESA50 with too much info, try and strike a balance between informing and brevity, you can always include links for additional info.

Gordon