Feeling so trapped!! Uuggghhhhh (depression and HECS debt)

[spunkyturtle]

I am currently attending day therapy programs two days a week. It helps. I have had some success this year - I had $27,800 HECS debt removed and now a legal firm has agreed to help me, pro bono to take the last two Universities to the AAT for another $16,000 HECS debt.

I am just feeling so trapped, I have put on so much weight because of the meds. It really makes it hard for me to leave the house and make friends, I feel like a whale. I just stopped taking the medication two days ago and my appetite is gone, I'm not hungry at all.

I am in a heap of debt, on one hand it is reducing rapidly, I am fortunate to have a DSP, then I get so frustrated because I can't move out because 85% of my income goes off the debt. With 2 days of therapy, 3 full days of TAFE is so overwhelming. I feel like by the time my finances are fixed I'll be too old to have children. Uuugggghhhhhh

am sick of feeling so anxious and depressed and frustrated. I'd welcome any tips or suggestions. I know there are positives and I try to focus on the positives, it's just so overwhelmingly frustrating.

thanks for listening

[Kathryne]

Hi and welcome to Beyond Blue.

I am glad you have been able to have your heccs removed . I hope all goes well with the other 2 university.

In regards to your weight is a change of medication possible to prevent the weight gain?

Looking forward to seeing the end of your debts and the return of 100% income could be a image to encourage you.

Do you want children? ? Now in near future, does that mean you are in a strong relationship?

Maybe you could have a medication review, with the aim to feel your best without the side effects.

Wishing you success

Kathryne

[spunkyturtle]

Thanks Kathryne, I've stopped taking my meds and I'll talk to my psychiatrist next week. A girl in group therapy suggested a similar medication that doesn't cause weight gain, so I'll talk to my Doctor about it because the weight issue is really getting me down. I don't know if it's the flu or the fact I've stopped taking the meds have caused my lack of appetite over the last three days.

I really want to be a Mother and wife, have a nice little family. I'm single and again the weight is holding me back from getting out and dating or just going out.

It feels really good to have the HECS debt removed and I'm relieved I can hand it over to a lawyer to handle because it's been a struggle. The Universities treat mental illness like a joke and it's quite degrading so it's been a huge victory to beat 4 universities myself. I don't feel like such a failure now when it comes to study, I wasn't well and I understand that.

Thanks Kathryne.

[slimjim78]

Is it a horrible idea to suggest bankruptcy? If debt is unmanageable, that's what it's there for. I wouldn't make the decision lightly, but if it is affecting your mental health then it might be worth considering.

I don't know how old you are, but pregnancy and birth can continue for a fair way into your 30s. My wife got pregnant at 38 after only 2 unprotected 'encounters' ;). We now have a gorgeous 2.5 year old boy who comes out with the most amazing sentences every now and then. Don't worry prematurely I guess is what I mean.

Most antidepressants cause weight gain which sucks, I know. There are a few that don't.

[spunkyturtle]

Thanks slim jim, I declared bankrupt in feb 2015 so I'm nearly half way through it, stupidly I got myself into $116,000 debt in my parents name so I have to pay it or they will lose their house. I have reduced it down to $83,000 in just 2 years!

Im 35 in October, it's frustrating feeling so trapped. While I'm living with my parents I'm reducing the debt by over $1,000 month after interest, I doubt I'd even make minimum payments living else where.

I don't care about my credit rating but I refuse to dump this debt on my Dad. Come on lotto win!!!!

[haidy]

Hi spunkyturtle!

I couldn't reply to you in another thread where you posted about getting HECS debt remitted.

I started studying a masters early 2016 but after having a lot of issues mentally dropped out after the census date. The debt is only about 3k but after taking 5 years (failed a lot) to complete my bachelor's, I am currently sitting on 30k of HECS debt. For the masters I applied to have it remitted and was denied since I went to see my doctor AFTER the withdrawal...

I wondering if you have any advice towards applying for a review??

Thanks in advance.

[Debzmite]

Hi Haidy

firstly - which University are you dealing with? I've learnt that is a big factor! Some are just greedy pigs who only care about money!

[Sam87]

Hey spunkyturtle,

I am in a very similar boat as you, very large amount of debt (due to a massive equity loss in first time property investment) that is tied to my parents home. So they could potentially loose everything if Im not careful. Have to live with them to use that 'rent' money to put towards loan. This has caused many years of progressive mental instability, also I have never responded well to any medication the doctors have prescribed me. Put on exactly 21kg in 3.5 years. Definitely understand feeling trapped with no foreseeable way out, my life is on hold while the years still go by. Its also causing a massive strain on my relationship with my parents, partly because they could loose their house and savings because of my poor decisions and partly because I am a recluse in their home.

A few years ago I decided to go to uni as I wanted a change in career, due to needing more money for increasing loan repayments caused by decreasing rental return. But after failing over half those courses due to exacerbations in my symptoms around assignment/exam times, I now also have a huge HECS debt & years of my time gone with nothing to show for it.

I was rejected in my application for removal of financial liability as I apparently couldn't meet any of the requirements (even with medical certificates). I was hoping you could tell me how you worded your application letter and the supportive evidence you used?

Very inspiring that you have been able to accomplish what you have.

Thx spunkyturtle,

Sam

[ZeeBear]

Hi Spunkyturtle,

Wondering if you can help me with remitting HECS debt. What would be the first step to doing this?

[atuc]

Hi Spunkyturtle. Thank you for sharing your story I read in an earlier forum. I am facing a similar situation and would love your assistance if you are able to provide it? Thank you