Agoraphobia and Centrelink payments

[Jon364]

Hi,

I've been homebound for 10 years, with anxiety/depression and feeling uncomfortable being in public places.  It was at it's worst point about 5 years ago but even now it's still very bad.  I'm a part of a very small family with only my mother and my brother (who lives elsewhere) and have only been out of the house twice in the last 10 years in terms of being a social/fun sort of thing.  I'm always more comfortable when at home and very uncomfortable, even when someone else comes over.

I recently went to a GP and got a medical certificate and referral to speak to a psychologist/psychiatrist about it but there's a waiting time of a few weeks and I'm in a bit of a limbo at the moment in terms of waiting.  I also went to open a bank account, which was especially hard.. especially being in the shopping centre.  I was shaking and felt really uncomfortable and overwhelmed.  The GP was ok once I was able to get into his office and talk.. but anything else other than talking to a doctor is very hard for me right now.  The reason why I don't mind the doctor so much is because it seems the one situation where someone can understand or help.  And I don't have to try and act "normal".

I've applied for Centrelink payments but going in on my own would have been hard, so I've had my mother handle it for me by giving her the authority t odeal with it.  It's been a month of ups and downs so far, I have a medical certificate for two months, but currently waiting for ID to arrive via mail before payments can start.

The reason I am making this post is for any general advice anyone has with this situation.. and secondly because I received a letter today from Centerlink for an appointment next Wednesday.  A suitability for work appointment etc.  It says if I don't go the payments will be stopped (I haven't even started receiving them yet and money is getting quite tight, even just to see a doctor).

I was told by the GP I wouldn't have to look for work, and through the whole process Centrelink have said I wouldn't need to look for work (at the moment) so I don't really understand what my options are.  This appointment was never mentioned until today (via mail).

Does anyone have any advice?  I really want to speak to a GP/counsellor, but anything else seems very hard at the moment.  Work is the last thing on my mind right now, and to have to worry about cutting of payments is an additional stress that makes things harder.  What should I do?

Thanks

[HyperDave]

I don't know, I guess centrelink has their requirements, and either they are flexible or not. I guess only they can provide you with an answer regarding if you can get out of it or not.

You need to give yourself credit for what you did achieve, you did go to the bank, and the doctor!

Would it make you feel more comfortable if your mum went with you to the appointment?

If you have to go, I am sure you will find it unpleasant, but anxiety by itself will not cause you permanent physical harm, its important to remember that.

You should probably talk to your doctor further about the situation.

I hope this situation improves for you.

[Jon364]

Thanks for your reply.  Yes, it's been a good feeling to know that I've at least gone to the doctor, and that I'm making some steps in the right direction, it's just that it's a long hard road.. and maybe it'll be easier to look back on the more positive sides.. a few months down the line.

The good news is I was able to schedule a phone appointment, but I won't know more until I speak to them.  I'm still quite anxious about it but it'll be easier via phone compared to in person.

It's a big waiting game at the moment and I'm waiting for ID to be sorted out before via mail before I get payment, and then with that I can talk to the doctor/phsychologist and go from there.  Until that happens, it's hard for me to know what to tell Centrelink.  It's like trying to talk to them with a broken leg, before you've had the x ray.  I'm not even remotely thinking about working right now, only about talking to the phsychologist and then going from there.

Hopefully Centrelink can be understanding about that.