Getting Diagnosis - Please Help

[HateTheSystem]

Hey everyone, I need some help.

I know I have depression and anxiety but I want to go get a professional diagnosis. I’m also couch surfing and drug dependant.

Will a normal GP be able to do the diagnosis? I also will need a letter from the doctor for Centrelink aswell to help me as I cannot work or do activities. This is a struggle and I do not know the right way to go about it and whom to go see.

Thanks, please anyone who has been through this give me some details on how to get the help I need....

[geoff]

Hello HTS, and we're sorry to hear of the circumstances you are now facing.

Your first option is to see your doctor, who may, in turn, prescribe medication and then write a letter to Centrelink who makes the decision.

They may also suggest putting you on a mental health plan, which entitles you to 10 Medicare paid sessions to see a psychologist, who can also write a letter to C/link, then they will make a decision.

Hope this helps you and please, if you would like to get back to us, then we can make other suggestions.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Peppermintbach]

Hello,

I feel for your struggles. I feel it would be so overwhelming. It’s a lot..

But I think it’s an incredible feat to want to take the step to get professional support. That is so brave in my eyes.

I think you’re on the right track about seeing your GP as your first point of contact. Geoff has kindly and thoughtfully given you some very helpful insight about navigating your first visit 🙂

I don’t really have much to add at this point but I would gently suggest asking for an extended/longer appointment if you decide to see your GP. The reason I suggest that is GPs will typically schedule a standard short consultation unless patients specifically request a longer one.

It’s just that mental health related GP visits usually require a little more time, that’s all...

I hope this helps a little...my thoughts are with you...

Kindness and care,
Pepper

[HateTheSystem]

Thanks!

I have got my first diagnosis for depression and anxiety at the GP. I was prescribe some meds. Also a Medicare plan for psych.

I have another appointment with the GP in 2 weeks time. How do I go about asking him to write a letter for me so I can bring to Centrelink and get my JSA done?

Also is it possible to get 2-3 weeks time from employment services/Centrelink so I can get everything ready for my JSA test? As they have been on my arse with obligations. Sigh.

Thanks, hope to hear your experiences and answers

[idontevenknowanymore]

Good to see you took that first step! hope you can make some progress. im still trying to push my self to that point where i can bring it up with my GP, seeing other people have done it really helps.

Im pretty sure if you told your GP that you would like some time off to stabilize he should be able to give you a certificate to give to center link, it should give you probably between 2 weeks - 1 month.

[pinwheel23]

Congratulations on taking these steps towards getting the support you need. Your GP should be able to provide a letter for Centrelink, and once you start seeing a psych they should also be able to help out with that side of things as well.

Good luck with everything 🙂