Daughter and PTSD

[Flicka]

Hi everyone, I am a mum trying to support my young adult daughter who had an unfortunate experience with a client threatening to kill her and a fellow co-worker. This chap was very violent in his words and coming down off Meth. My daughter has since had to go on Workers Comp and formally been diagnosed as having PTSD by two (2) Psychologists and due to an non-supportive employer who after several previous incidences didn't implement any changes to the office environment which could've prevented further issues.

The Insurance company is now trying to push my daughter back into the workforce despite her continuing to have night terrors, anxiety and a real fear for her life in a mid size town. She is now on anti-depressants and won't go anywhere without someone close by. She has fortnightly psychology sessions and visits her GP fortnightly. The insurance company are now requesting to be present at the next GP session to discuss going back to work which I believe is not appropriate.

Her partner and I are trying our best to support her however as we aren't mental health workers it's hard to know what is right and what isn't. The employer has made no contact with her since the incident not even to see how she is travelling and there are currently 5 other staff members on workers comp for similar incidences.

I would really appreciate any words of wisdom or advise as to how we can deal with the pushy insurance company and also does anyone happen to know of any forward thinking ideas that myself and her partner could use to support her more?

We think it is way too soon for my daughter to consider going back to any form of employment atleast until she can actually leave the house by herself and venture out to the shops which currently is a major block.

Cheers

[Kathryne]

Hi and welcome to Beyond Blue,

I'm sorry to hear of the security incident which has effected your daughter.

I am fairly certain that the insurance company cannot be at a medical appointment unless invited. They can receive reports of what can and did occur at the session.

Having experienced a violent client on ice I understand where you're daughter is mentally. Resilience is required to deal with the feeling evoked by the experience, if it was totally out of the blue it would be harder to come to terms with.

I suggest you inform the insurance company that they are welcome to open communication from doctors sessions however you're not prepared to have your daughter s mental health deteriorate further by the stress their presence would cause.

Regards Kathryne

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Flicka,

Thanks for reaching out and welcome to the forums.

It is most certainly not appropriate for people at the Workers Compensation to 'sit in' at an appointment. It may be warranted that they need additional evidence, such as a report or a summary from the GP or Psychologist (such as a medicolegal report) but this depends on the individual circumstances.

For future reference, I would personally (and strongly) advise you to write down all conversations (dates, times, what was said/requested) and request paper or email communication where possible.

For specific advice, I suggest that you contact the workers compensation agency in your state (below) -

WorkSafe ACT

State Insurance Regulatory Authority (NSW)

NT WorkSafe

WorkCover Queensland

ReturnToWork SA

WorkCover Tasmania

WorkSafe Victoria

WorkCover WA