Feeling extremely anxious, stressed and lost trying to apply for DSP

[Rach28]

Hi everyone. So its been a while since i made a post in hopes of getitng some advice and guidance for everyone. So here we go. Since last month (September) I've been trying to apply for the DSP payment. I was on a 6 months medical exemption and it ended so yeah i was hoping I could just apply and thats it - but theres all these damn paperwork requirements that yeah are insanity. 

So fast forward to this month just before Halloween, ive had countless anxiety attacks, stressed out of my mind, trying to get help and guidance from my GP with no success and I ended up calling helplines multiple times cause im so stressed and triggered by this application process. 

I'm so done with this entire paperback that I want to rip it up, burn it and throw it in the bin. It's not benefiting me and only making my anxiety worse. 

So here I am guys - asking for advice and help. I am seriously struggling and I cant stay on jobseeker for the rest of my life, and I cant get a job either - i have serios mental health struggles (complex ptsd, severe anxiety and severe depression). I downplay my mental health because I am a victim of sexual assault and family abuse. I generally shut down due to safety reasons to protect myself. If your an abuse/assault victim you'd understand. It's my protective mode that makes it hard for me to communicate whats really going on. So yeah I know it doesnt help but sadly its my coping mechanism. 

So guys - what do I do? Cause im at the end of my string, I dont know who to turn to for help, who to call or who to help me with this entire mess. The paperback is literally driving me insane, im done with it. I dont want to approach my doctor anymore, he wont help and is sexist towards my gender. 

So guys - if your a woman and you've been through this process applying for DSP as a victim who did you turn to for support and help/guidance? Cause i personally cant do this on my own, its impossible. I'm exhausted mentally and physically. I need someone else to do this for me. It's that simple. 

What do I do guys? Help! (p.s. crying while writing this post). 

[white knight]

Dear Rach,

Gee, I nearly wept. 

So I'm not a woman lol. But I'll try. I have bipolar, depression, dysthymia etc. 2013 I went to work. Got out of my car, walked away then returned and went home. I told my wife- I just worked the last day of my working life. I was finished. It was my own business and as far as income- it no longer mattered, I knew I couldnt attend work again. So it took 3 months to the day to be approved for DSP and even that was after threatening to protest with placards outside centrelink. Desperate times. But it was also just before the Govt tightened up the rules to get the DSP.

Firstly, I've had many dealings with Govt departments. It is far better to assume you wont be granted an application for anything and if you do then thats a bonus. It will lower your anxiety. Also, applications is like playing a game, the Govt game, in that yes there is a purpose for every question on every piece of paper or internet form but they done streamline it at all and the reason is to prevent loopholes that are sort by fraudulent people. The honest always suffer. Again try to accept that this game is stretched over the long term and you cannot make it shorter. A 1901 steam train will never be the Flying Scotchman.

Ok so where do you get help. I suggest you contact anyone and everyone that has the ability to be competent in administration. An office manager at the council, a healthcare worker (your GP admin), friend in healthcare or admin, these people have clear minds without mental fogginess. 

You are right, no one knows how it would be to be a sexual assault victim and my heart aches for you. In less terms all of us know what its like not to get a little empathy from friends and family for our struggles. Thats why we are here. So a sexual assault victims support group could be of some comfort. Google- "Sexual assault services (state where you live)" 

With anxiety avoidance is better than cure. Eg Halloween, next time arrange to be away somewhere eg camping to avoid the craziness of that. Or place a nice sign on your front door "no halloween please" or avoid shopping centres and so on.

I had anxiety in 1987 and overcame it 99% by 2012. A long time but here is my method.

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-how-l-eliminated-it/td-p/183873

https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/staying-well/depression-distraction-and-variety/td-p/275790 

That last link. Recently I had noisy neighbours and a little anxiety crept in. So I did a jigsaw puzzle and headphones listening to music- worked well. Also google "Prem Rawat Maharaji youtube" select one of many many videos. My favourite is "sunset" and "all is well". Great for relaxing.

I hope you feel better soon. Thankyou for your bravery in being open.

TonyWK

[Sophie_M]

 
Hey Rach28,

Welcome back, and thank you so much for sharing with us. We’re so sorry to hear about the toll this process has taken on you. It’s incredibly tough when you're already carrying so much, and then have to fight just to be heard and believed. It can feel so unfair and exhausting.

You absolutely deserve support with this. Trying to manage everything on your own for so long can be overwhelming, and we want to make sure you know you're not alone.
Here are a couple of resources that might be helpful:

• National Disability Advocacy Finder: This site lists services that can help you find an individual advocate, including the Disability Advocacy Support Helpline.
• AskIzzy : A great tool that can help you find disability advocacy services near you: https://askizzy.org.au/disability-advocacy-finder

You mentioned calling helplines, and we really encourage you to keep reaching out when you need someone to talk to, even just to vent. The Beyond Blue Support Service is here for you anytime on 1300 224 636  or via webchat.

This is a lot to be going through, and it’s completely understandable to feel despair when the system feels so hard to navigate. It sounds like you’ve had to advocate for yourself for a long time, and that can be incredibly draining, especially when you’re not feeling respected in the process. While we might not be able to solve everything, we are here to support you any time and sit with you while you navigate this.

Take good care of yourself, Rach28.

Kind regards,
Sophie M

[Rach28]

thanks for your support. Appreciate the links. I'm having a tough time right now. I attended my local ED Department and apparently awaitng a social worker to contact me (supposed to contact me within 24 hours after i was discharged from ED). I just am so damn tired, i want someone else to do this paperwork for me and for Centrelink to give me the DSP. Simple, done. Stress-free.