ADHD. Exhausted options, toxic workplace breakdown, zero savings: How do I escape?

Guest_07797061

Hey, I hate having to look for support but I’m gonna try.

I'm a 34 year old man, living in Melbourne for 12 years now and no emotional support from family. I’ve hit an absolute dead end and need real, practical advice from anyone who has navigated the Victorian health and welfare system when carrying severe burnout while “looking fine” on the outside. I simply cannot sustain this work/job-style much longer.

My situation:

Masking & Dismissal: I present as extremely resilient, articulate, and put-together. Because I don't visually "look" like I'm suffering, GPs and health professionals completely underestimate how severely incapacitated I am until I hit a complete mental breakdown.

Toxic Work Impact: My workplace environment has been horrific and has directly driven me into this crisis. It has completely drained my physical and mental capacity to the point where I am incapacitated. Continuing to stay in that environment is actively destroying my health every single day. I snapped at someone today, I still have 3 months left of this job.

Medicare limits exhausted: I have used all 10 Mental Health Treatment Plan sessions and my Chronic Disease Management plan for the year. I cannot afford private out-of-pocket fees.

Financial: I have zero liquid savings, cannot access my super, and cannot afford unpaid leave. I desperately need to stop working before I fall apart completely, but I have no income safety net.

If you've been in this exact position and found a way to stop the clock without going completely broke, please let me know what steps you took.. I’d be so grateful

Guest_10565

Hey mate not sure where to begin talk about a tight rope situation, have you tried just investing into work or perhaps massage or r and r what ever to help get through.

audiology

Hey mate - the only thing I can really think of is looking into your superannuation and seeing if you have income-protection insurance built into it that covers taking time off work for mental health reasons. It might even be worth giving them a call and discussing your situation with them - because if you're able to get your GP to sign off on you not being able to work due to mental exhaustion or depression etc, it could provide some relief IF you're super's built in income protection allows for it. Unfortunately not many of them have very extensive mental health related cover.

But yeah I was in a similar situation about 15 years ago - absolutely wasn't able to work any more but didn't have the funds to really take any extended time off. Gave my super company a call and it turns out my super includes a pretty robust income proteciton policy where I needed to be off work for like 5 weeks before my eligibility kicked in and I was covered for up to 75% of my regular income per month for a period of up to 2 years per claim - which as it turns out I damn near needed the entirety of as it turns out I have pretty severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Guest_03358649

Hey, sorry about your situation.

Having been in the mental health and welfare system on and off for one million years, also often looking like I'm doing just fine, here is what I myself would do:

Look into possible cover as per Audiology's advice.
Start a Centrelink claim for jobseeker payment - my.gov.au you do not need to complete the claim all at once and you can cancel it at any time, so no harm no foul.
In the claim tick that you do not have the capacity to work full time
Get your GP to fill out a Verification of Medical Condition (SU684) form, stating your diagnosis and or chronic health issues and when they were first brought up - even if the doc is unsympathetic, just the facts - have them include that you do not have the capacity to work full time
As you've used your MHCP all up, you presumably have a therapist - get in touch with them/ their office asking for the same letter/ form - they should do this for you without an appointment
If you are diagnosed ADHD you have a psychiatrist? Same letter/ form from them
Use these letters to support your claim for not working full time. While it's obviously not great money, it's something and there is a lot less pressure on you if you have that "partial disability"/ decreased capacity claim
As you are still working, you may not be able to submit until you hit your limit and quit, but if you get that set up in advance, it should make things easier.
There are good Reddit forums with advice on navigating Centrelink

Good luck. It's stupid tough out there

RisingPhoenix84

Hello there,

It sounds like you are managing such a heavy load at the moment, and I can see that you are sourcing available assistance where possible. There sounds like there are a few things going on here, finances, lack of emotional support, toxic workplace and burn out. You also mentioned that you have 3 months left of this job. Can I ask what are your plans afterwards? Are you currently looking for other work? The most important thing to do right now is to take care of your mental and physical health while you are navigating this. It is great that you have reached out to Beyond Blue. Does your workplace have an Employee Assistance Program - free counselling that is confidential that can support you? I would priorities the basics, move your body daily, write down your thoughts, emotions, concerns in a journal while you also think of possible solutions. Prioritise sleep and rest where possible. Fill your cup up on the weekends by visiting family and friends or doing hobbies you love or simply a beach or river walk in nature. Take care of you, while you navigate this stress. Focus on your next role, job, hopefully aim for a pay increase in your next role. Those extra funds can potentially go into some counselling sessions for you or healthy lifestyle options for example a gym membership where you could diffuse some of this mental and emotional energy. Are there difficult conversations that need to be had at work? Is there a HR department you could speak to and get some guidance on matters at work. I know right now you may feel swamped with it all, but sometimes we need to focus on self-care so we can tackle these challenges and improve our lives especially in areas where we feel dissatisfied. I hope you are able to resolve this challenging stage in your life soon.

LotusAfterRain

Hi my friend,

Welcome to the forum.
I am here to listen and support you🤗

One thing that might be worth doing is seeing your GP again. Be specific about how your condition is affecting your daily functioning, and importantly, share your real thoughts and concerns as well. You could also ask whether your GP can provide you with a medical certificate for leave or advise you about income support. I am concerned about your physical and mental wellbeing, so I highly recommend reducing your working hours if possible. You could also consider applying for JobSeeker Payment through Centrelink. I kindly advise you to contact Centrelink to see if you are eligible for JobSeeker Payment. In order to meet the requirements for JobSeeker Payment, you may need to make a job plan. This may help you find your next job.

For your mental health concerns, one option is SANE Australia. Here is the link:
https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-diso...

SANE offers free, comprehensive mental health support, including its Recovery Club program with groups and 1:1 support, 24/7 community forums, events, and information and resources.

This website might also be helpful when making career decisions after an adult ADHD diagnosis:
https://www.adhdaustralia.org.au/tag/employment/

I apologize for replying to your thread so late.

As I spent some time searching for services that I thought might best suit your situation.

I hope this information is helpful!

Warm regards,
LotusAfterRain