Fibromyalgia - Warning DWP Malingering Alert

If you have Fibromyalgia and are due to be assessed for Employment & Support Allowance via the Work Capability Assessment - beware.

Fibromyalgia (along with ME) is one of those conditions that UNUM Provident (parent company of Atos and advisers to the government over Welfare Reform) tried to discredit in the United States so that they didn't have to pay out insurance claims.  The same model is being used over here and if you have any doubt just read the PDF on the matter by following the link further down. It is entitled 'Fibromyalgia - Guidelines For The Disability Analyst'.  I tried to Google other conditions to see if they too were targeted in this way but couldn't find any other conditions that are subject to this derisory treatment. It may be that Fibromyalgia was subject to a Freedom of Information Request which is still ongoing.

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/fibromyalgia_guidelines_for_the

Under Section 9 of the pdf you will find this statement:


9.6.1 Malingering

"Although apparent inconsistencies between the clinical findings and the claimed degree of disability are an intrinsic feature of these disorders, we must be alert for any areas where such inconsistencies are so unusual or conflicting as to suggest that the claimant is making an intentional attempt to simulate disability in the pursuit of gain.  The use of  “malingering” and other pejorative terms should be avoided but it is possible to describe outstanding contradictions in a way that is fair, overt and yet non-judgemental."

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/130828/response/326965/attach/4/MED%20S2%20CMEP%200035%20Module%2014%20Fibromyalgia%20v%206%20Final.pdf

So there you have it here in black and white.  This is what Disability Analysts think about people with fibromyalgia (consistent with the disability denial that swept the States and resulting in UNUM Provident being sued and banned in many states there).  The DWP knows this but doesn't care.

If you have fibromyalgia you will suffer from some if not all of the following and more:

Widepsread pain, tenderness and sore points
Debilitating Fatigue
Sleep Problems
Irritable Bladder Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Dysmenhorrea
Migraines
Anxiety
Depression
Vitamin D Deficiency
Costochondritis
Sjogren's Syndrome
Myofascial Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tendonitis
Epstein Barr Virus
Body Temperature Problems
Sensitivity to Humidity, Weather Changes, Smells, Noise, Light and Touch