Lived Experience Forum

[Jazza]

I joined this forum tonight because I need help. Its a long story but it all started in January when I rang the 1800 number because my brain was imploding. I tried to get a social worker on advice from the 1800. They told me they didn't have one andpressured me to a walkin MH appointment. They sent me to a psychiatrist to confirm my diagnosis then they breached my privacy and sent a report to the wrong doctor and my son received it at work. Then the horrible psychiatrist died. So I'm fighting them and now they want it to go to hearing and I have to get a psychologist report. I cant trust because of all the rotten MH treatment and I dont know how to find a psychologist I can trust. I've been stuck on Google since Wednesday trying to work this out. I'm dirty and tired and my house is a mess and I'm ashamed of who I am. But I cant give up because I'm standing up for your rights too. But its taking every ounce of energy and I only have enough to breathe. Please help

[frog]

Hi @Jazza that sounds really bad. It sounds so draining. Is there a way that you can take small steps to take care of yourself while this situation is going on? It's very individual, but for me going for a walk sometimes helps. Sticking to a routine does too, particularly with sleep. 

I don't know a lot about legal stuff, but I believe there are mental health advocacy services across the country, and they are likely to know. Sometimes legal aid might be able to help. Don't let the bad service that you're fighting rush you, before you have a chance to get advice.

In terms of finding a pscyhologist you can trust, it's hard without getting recommendations. It can also take a long time to get an appointment. 

Do you have a good GP? They may be able to suggest a psych. Mine was helpful in a crisis and knew about various services, not just medical.

Also, you can get Medicare help for seeing a psychologist. It's called the Better Access program. The GP has to set up a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and refer you to a psychologist.

I hope I'm not just telling you stuff you already know.

There's also Get Help through Sane, though most of those are Monday-Friday. I'm tagging @Former-Member because they probably have more idea about this than me.

[Jazza]

Thanks for the reply. I've got a great GP. The problems occur when I go beyond that.

Self care - my sleep cycle is ruined. Every time I have a hearing date I'm exhausted for days. Unfortunately I sprained my ankle  really badly in January and I'm not able to walk distances anymore. I have to get back to the surgeon but that's another thing adding to the things I have to get done. There's no advocacy here. I'm in a regional area. 

I just don't know how to take the step to find a psych. This incident with community health has reinforced my lack of trust. 

I know you're not meant to discuss details of health professionals etc which makes it even harder because its so hard to find someone genuine.

Regards Jazza

[Lunar]

Hello @Jazza

Thanks for sharing some of your experiences, it sounds like you have a huge amount going on for you with needing some support, on top of hearings and now an injured ankle, that seems quite overwhelming so I am glad you have come to the forum for some extra support at the moment.

It would be helpful for you to find a psychologist for some extra support like you mentioned, however that process can be tricky can't it. Your GP should be able to refer someone, however if not, you can look on the Australian Psychological Society website yourself, and then call around to have a bit of a chat to them first. It can be difficult to trust them, as that takes time, but maybe for now just have a look on the website; if you are somewhere rural they can also do Skype or Phone call sessions depending on the psychologist.

Australian Psychological Society (APS)
1800 333 497 outside Melbourne
03 8662 3300 in Melbourne
referral@psychology.org.au
www.psychology.org.au 
The APS is the leading organisation for psychologists in Australia. The APS ‘Find a psychologist’ is an online, telephone and email referral service for the general public and health professional who are seeking the advice and assistance of a qualified APS psychologist.

I hope that helps, keep reaching out here okay.

Lunar

[Margot]

Hi @Jazza. sorry to hear about your experience and it makes sense that it's been tough for you to trust somebody new. Great that you have a good GP on your side though. How is everything going with connecting with somebody new? 

[Jazza]

Thanks for asking. Ive managed to see a psychologist who I saw a couple of
years ago. It was quite a relief to find her again and she remembered
everything. She was quite shocked at what a terrible state I am in. And she
was/is just what I need. I tried a couple who didn't want anything to do
with me until after the legal stuff had been worked out. Sadly the local GP
that I learned to like and trust left this week so now I have no other
option but to travel to see a GP again.

I haven't been too well. Now I am trying to find legal advice but we dont
have a community legal centre. Im regional. Nobody will give advice over
the phone. At the moment its more than I can cope with.

Thank you for your concern.

[utopia]

@Jazza - I understand only to well, that feeling of barely having enough energy to breathe - let alone do anything else. And my house is a total shambles - due to no housework for months and months and no maintenance for years. So you are not alone there.

I have experiences of not trusting the mental health system - as that is where I was 'injured' - which started me on my mental health journey. Add in a private psychiatrist who went 'nuts' when I asked for a second opinion.  And those experiences really unsettled me.

But I have been lucky in finding good psychologists.  And late last year, a trustworthy psychiatrist. 

I am honest and brunt with them upfront about my experiences with certain mental health practitioners.  If they don't like that - then they are not the right person to help me.

I think when looking for a specialist - seek referrals from people who have seen them professionally. 

There's no reason not to ask them a number of questions over the phone or in your first meeting. 

And you have every right to ask them that any report they write - that they give it to you to post / fax off - due to your past experience.  A good psychologist and psychiatrist won't have a problem with that.

My mental health is ongoing as we haven't even started the court process yet with my ex employer.

As hard as it is, try to find a moment of joy or happiness or something pretty every day. And try to keep a picture in your head of that pretty, joyful or hapoy thing.

Keep fighting.  You are not alone

[Jazza]

Gosh your story sounds like mine. Im in the process of taking action
against my previous employer at the moment. Its so upsetting because you
have to relive everything then you read what incompetent professionals they
were when they get so many facts wrong I like you had a psychiatrist
refuse me a different psychiatrist and then sent me a letter saying give me
one more chance.
Thanks for your care and concern.