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Centrelink depression and anxiety

Rosiiie
Community Member
Hi, I'm currently on youth allowance job seeker. I am transgender, homeless living in transitional housing and suffer from really bad anxiety, which causes me to become really depressed. I'm not sure what I can do, I currently go to headspace, but it hasn't been on a regular basics. But I have appointment this week with one of there private workers, because they think that's best because I have a lot going on. My gp suggested a antidepressant. I defiantly not a lazy person, it's just anxiety takes over me. And I've never felt this low ever. I just don't know my options, or even if I can do anything about it. Would I be eligible for disability allowance? The thought of being put at work in this stage of my life makes me even more deprest.
2 Replies 2

chociloni
Community Member
I know what you mean. Dealing with Centrelink makes me even more depressed, and they can instil fear in you to get a job by a certain time. However, tell your story to your Headspace worker, and your GP, GP's can fill out forms exempting you from work, and your Headspace worker can advise you as well about not working, getting dsp and maybe seeing a Psychitarist if need be. 

PatT
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi Rosie, 

Unfortunately you wouldn't be eligible for disability support with your situation but it would be extremely beneficial to have somebody to speak to on a regular basis about how you're feeling. It sounds like you're in a really difficult place right now and I commend you for coming to beyondblue and reaching out. Apart from going to see a counsellor, what other things do you do to relax? Do you exercise? Do you read? Do you watch movies? Do you socialise?

Whatever you do to unwind, do more of it. The problem with anxiety is that it's a kind of self-perpetuating cycle where the anxiety makes you want to avoid doing activities including relaxing things, so we spend time isolating which in turn makes us more anxious because we spend all day dwelling on the fact that we're anxious in the first place. Stupid, huh?

Try and give yourself some breathing room by forcing yourself to be distracted. Do whatever you don't really want to do, whether that be going for a walk, reading a new book, seeing an old friend, whatever, and you're guaranteed to take your mind off the anxiety for a while. Also, speak to your GP about a mental health plan which gives you free visits to a psychologist for a while.