I have a client who is appealing a decision not to renew his DLA. When he first claimed he had no insight into his mental health problems and his hoarding/OCD. Now over 2 years later he acknowledges that he has mental health problems and is linked into CMHT. His home is still cluttered and still a fire hazard. Do you know if there are any regulations that acknowledge someone would need supervisng due to the level of hoardering being so bad he can not move around his home safely and he would require frequent supervision during day time?

I would be looking for another angle based on the OCD/severe anxiety. Is there a more specific diagnosis, for example Asperger's syndrome: he might struggle with decision making skills, leading (ultimately) to hoarding and lots of other issues.

If hoarding is the only issue cannot see how it would require frequent attention or significant attention/supervision etc.

People with OCD often struggle to complete tasks, especially if they feel compelled to perform rituals - repetitive and obsessive forms of behaviour. For example it can take them hours to be able to leave the house becasue every door and window and very electric switch has to be checked 7 times, and if they lose count of miss one they have to start all over again; or they have to wash all their clothes and towels every day, twice. If there is soemone with them taht person can reassure them and, if they are aware they ahve the condition, help them to short-circuit the rituals and understand that it doesn't result in a catastrophe.

I suspect that the new WCA descriptor about asking long times to do things may have been designed with people with OCD in mind, as well as those with larning disabilities. It's a terribly disabling condition, and it is distressing for people when they have enough insight to know they are acting irrationally but can't stop themselves.

I have successfully appealed an AA claim for someone who seems to fit this description. Her CPN diagnosed 'Diogenes Syndrome' (which sounded good), and wrote a very supportive letter about her compulsive behaviour and the very unsafe nature of her house.

Do you suppose that this refers to Diogenes the Cynic who spurned all worldly goods and lived in a barrel? Seems like the last person to be a hoarder. He wasn't very good at personal relationships though. The King Alexander the Great once visited him to talk to him (as he ahd a great reputation for wisdom).

Alexander said to him, "Is there anything you would like?"

Diogenes ssai "I'd like you to get out of the light".

Not very relevant, perhaps. Maybe it means another Diogenes.

It is indeed he!

That's the first ironically named syndrome I've come across. You live and learn.

But did he get AA? I'm sure the DWP being such a dinosaur must have existed in the 4th century BC ....

He was a Greek and lived in a barrel so his R2R appeal is ongoing, we expect a reply any day now.........

Hadn't expected Diogenes to generate so much interest. It is not the barrel fetishism that's relevant here, it's the squalor in which he lived, and which can accompany compulsive hoarding. Diogenes successful claim for Attendance Allowance (supervision) is the only claim from antiquity recorded in Plutarch's 'Lives'. (Loeb Translation.)

Of course even if Diogenes succeeds in getting an award he won't get any DP on his income support since in my view he's homeless, a barrell doesn't count. BTW, how are you Tom?

Grant?

Yes