No one is willing to help

[NateMcNate]

Hi,

I am posting here as I have no idea what to do.

Heres a brief account of what happened to me. Late 2017 I was involved in an incident while at work where I mistakenly put myself in between a violent male and a woman and her child. In doing so I ended up being physically attacked.

Everything seemed fine in the following weeks.

Approximately 4 or 5 weeks after something switched in my head. Severe anxiety, depression, stress manifested out of nowhere. This affected me severely. I have approached GP's, attended psychologist and they all have diagnosed me with PTSD but have done nothing to help me address the problem. I feel that these people only prolong the agony to make as much profit from it.

Since then everything has gone from bad to worse, I have gone from working where I did make quite a good living to being homeless, living out of a tent, constant anxiety, heart feels like its ready to jump out of my chest most of the time. I don't eat, I haven't had a full nights sleep in 2 years. This is not living, what is the point.

[Aaronsis]

Hi NateMcNate

I am so very sorry to hear that you are suffering and that your whole life has been impacted as a result of ultimately trying to do the right thing.

PTSD is a very serious and very frightening disorder as you are experiencing, the feelings and thoughts are as a result of you going through trauma and putting your body and mind through an event that is foreign to you, it is a very common response to a very abnormal or terrifying experience. You have done nothing wrong and it is so very common for people who have gone through a traumatic event to have some impact from it. I am just so sad that it has caused you to be homeless and that it has impacted your ability to work and eat and sleep, I can hear how overwhelmed you are and so very exhausted.

I kind of feel like after having experienced grief and loss that it is kind of the same as going through trauma, and what has helped me so very much is talking, being here in this space and sharing my thoughts and feelings and hearing how others are coping and welcoming their support and comfort.

If you feel that you are not satisfied with the conversation and outcome that you got from the doctor it would be worthwhile perhaps seeing if you can make an appointment with a different one and hopefully they will be able to give you some solid advice how to move through this time and deal with these symptoms.

I am not sure if I have been helpful to you but if you would like to chat some more and even talk some more we are here for you.

Hugs

AS

[Summer Rose]

Hi NateMcNate

Welcome to bb and thank you for trusting us with your story.

I am so sorry that you didn't receive the right help in your initial time of need. The consequences of this "system" failure for you have been significant and again I am sorry. You deserved so much more.

I really feel it important to address your homelessness as a matter of priority. Do you feel strong enough to attemp this?

If so, please visit your local Salvos and talk through your situation with a representative. They should be able to offer housing assistance and they also have legal services.

I mention this because your injury occured at work, which means you can make a Work Cover claim. You may not be ready to deal with this at present but just keep it mind for when you are ready, as I'm sure any financial assistance would be welcomed. Equally you may be entitled to victims of crime compensation but you will need legal advice to make this determination.

If talking to the Salvos seems daunting, please call the bb support line on 1300 22 4636 and they will be able to help you take the next steps with regard to accessing social services and your mental health.

Life can get better but you need to approach this one step at a time. How do feel about first working to get a place to stay? Do you have any family or friends that could help you?

Kind thoughts to you

[NateMcNate]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply’s.

I have reached out to people and organisations with no luck, it seems my situation falls in a grey area which doesn’t qualify for help.

I have applied for social housing in all the east coast states which we all know takes years and due to being forced out if my job after they found out about my condition I was unable to pay rent at my last place which has now left a black mark against my tenant record. This makes it near impossible to get a place, never mind the perfect tenancy record I had previously.

I did post some stuff on social media relating to my problems hoping someone would reach out, instead all I got was people thinking it was a joke, people making stupid comments. Heaven forbid that I can have any serious problems.

I have no close family or friends to reach out to, well as I said earlier I attempted to reach out and nobody took it seriously.

I attempted to access my super early but being homeless, suffering from a mental disorder doesn’t qualify.

I spoke to lifeline, the lady on the phone was not interested and couldn’t wait to hang up, I assume they are on some kind of call time limit.

Im just sick of rejection, I’m sick of being told I’m not good enough or don’t meet the criteria.

Regarding GPs, I’ve been to multiple. Was on a Medicare mental health plan, the 2 psychologists I did see did not help, I felt worse every time I left that office. Was prescribed 2 different medications which only had negative effects so I stopped.

I have no options left, no where to go, no where to be, no one to turn to.

It’s a losing battle.

also touching on the workcover and victims of crime issue. Workcover denied psychological treatment hence why I had to go on the medicate mental health care plan.
I have been dealing with victims of crime for over 2 years now with no result. All victims of crime do is prolong the misery. I do not recommend applying for Victims of crime no matter how good they make it sound. the victims of crime compensation would of helped if it was there but am still waiting.

there is also a claim against workcover ongoing with my victims of crime lawyer but again that will take years and is best just forgotten about.

I have visited every avenue I know of with zero result.

[blondguy]

Hello NateMcNate

I understand the pain you are experiencing after this horrible incident. I went through the same when I was in the middle of an altercation with a violent female and her partner....It can make our life very difficult for sure

You mentioned that you have severe anxiety and Depression. That is a dark place to be in Nate...not good at all

Just as per my own personal experience you would qualify for early superannuation release with your circumstances they way they are Nate. There is ton of paperwork yet its worth it

I understand everyone has varying levels of anxiety and depression. Can I ask if your symptoms have a detrimental effect on your day to day well being and your ability to function as you used to?

I hear you about Workcover.....Thats a minefield to be a part of...Ugh!

This is my 23rd year seeing my GP every 4-6 weeks for a 'fine tune' Recovery from these awful symptoms can take a long time to recover from....not to mention the patience and determination thats required as well...

please take care

Paul

[Summer Rose]

Hi NateMcNate

I read your post with deep saddness. You are in a dark place and really doing it tough and I can understand why you feel hopeless.

I am angry that the mental health system let you down so badly. Unfortunately this experience is common and I understand the frustration first hand.

I care for my daughter who has anxiety and OCD and we went through it all too--a GP who didn't get it, meds that made her more unwell and a psychiatrist whose "treatment" made things worse. It took time and effort but we persevered and eventually found the right people and treatment to help. Today she is in recovery. As hard as it is, I encourage you to keep trying. It can get better.

It was the people from the beyondblue support line that helped me. I called many times and always received kindness and good advice. I understand you are tired of not being helped and feeling rejected but hand-on-heart I'm confident this service will care. The number is 1300 22 4636.

It's good that you are on the lists for public housing but I fear the wait will be too long and that this will further impact your mental health. I'm wondering if this "grey area" you say you fall into is open to interpretation and if maybe it would be worth trying again?

I'm just thinking it might be possible that you haven't yet met the right person to help you. Have you tried the Salvos or Anglicare?

I'm glad you have sought assistance through WC and victims of crime because you deserve it. Once again I understand the systems are arduous but persevere because a postive outcome or outcomes could change your life.

I want you to know that you are not alone. You have been heard and people care.

Kind thoughts to you

[NateMcNate]

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your reply.

i find it very hard to open up about this, I tried to be honest with my last employer regarding my condition and they forced me out for my troubles, this had a severe effect on what I was already dealing with.

Before the incident I was a completely different person. I was very social, alway positive, always happy, successful in my job, was in a great relationship. The years after I found that most people completely dismiss you when you reach out for help, don’t take you seriously. I now avoid people completely, I don’t answer the phone, I shop as late at night as possible when I can build enough confidence in myself to get out, this was before I became homeless. Just thinking of this sends the anxiety through the roof.

Becoming homeless took away the last sliver of security I had, the roof over my head.

Panic attacks are a common occurrence now, I am able to breathe my way out of them mostly, other times it takes physical pain to stop it.

unfortunately for me I don’t have family of friends to turn to, I thought I did but turns out I don’t. Apparently I’m just having a whinge according to them.

very hard to describe it exactly, constantly feel sick in the stomach. There are moments where I become focused but that is quickly erased with uncertainty, with doubt.

I’m just not sure I can be helped.

[NateMcNate]

Hi Summer Rose,

thanks for the reply.

i am unable to speak with people on the phone, I tend to go into a panic and unfortunately I have no support person to do this on my behalf.

The workcover and Vic of Crimes has only made things worse prolonging everything related to the incident.

i just have to accept the fact that the choices I made put me in this position and accept the consequences whatever they may be.

[loouuiiee]

Oh Nate I hear you 100%!

having been in a somewhat similar situation, it feels so demeaning and leaves you feeling totally worthless and helpless when the ‘support systems’ everyone is recommending do nothing to help, or you have to wait so long that instead of things getting better they end up getting a lot worse! It can seem like a horribly cruel world ... but as long as you can find love then there is still a speck of light in the darkness. Find something that you love to power you to keep going. For me it has been my pets who keep me going.

like Summer Rose said - you just haven’t met the right person or thing to help you yet.

i can hear you are exhausted, but give yourself the love and time to be able to take baby steps forward. Don’t give up seeking out help because you deserve it!

metaphorically I have clawed myself out of some very deep dark places with very little help from anyone. The hardest part is hanging in there when you know it’s going to be a long, rough road ahead.
if I can do it, so can you 🙂 we are all here to support you and we believe in you!! hang in there ❤️

[Summer Rose]

Hi NateMcNate

The choice you made in 2017 was brave and honourable. Your instincts were to protect and help, and it took courage, strength and integrity to act. I think you are an amazing human being.

The consequences for you are not right. This world can be a crazy, mixed up place at times and we all know it's not fair. But I truly believe that as people we can make it easier for others to survive and thrive by being kind.

I really would like to help you. I understand that you can't make phone calls. It is very hard to advocate for yourself when you're unwell. I really can't even imagine how hard this is for you without friends or family to help.

If you want, I can make some calls for you to get some general information about what supports are available in your local area. You would still have to call yourself at some point, but maybe it would be easier???

Of course, you would have to be comfortable disclosing where you live and having a very public conversation about it. Think about it.

If nothing else, I am here to encourage you and remind you that you matter.

Hugs to you x