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ClockFaceSenior Contributor
I think Im starting to get a handle on the forum a bit more and figure that I could start my own thread for my babble rather than filling up the feed and others posts not get their appropriate time on the notice board.
Ill still post some stuff normal but most Ill post here.
In response to: Malens Babble
ClockFaceSenior Contributor
Its been a fair while since I posted a post like this. A fair bit has been happening. Ive been a bit hung up on the idea of returning to work. With my anxiety issues and stuff I dont know how I am going to be able to. My mental health has worsened in some areas and I handle large groups of people really poorly. They freak me out, to the point that I wont go into the grocery store if its too busy. I can manage an active petrol station, thats about it.
Ive been having issues with my hallucinations quite a bit. They have been playing with medications, adding another to try and help me sleep because that is horrible and has been for ages. Ive tried a couple of meds and havent gone well. Making me feel like I was asleep and wanted to be asleep all the time, the other didnt help much on the sleep but made me want eat heaps.
My depression has been really difficult to deal with of late, I fluctuate between it being ok and it being really hard. I have Schizoaffective Disorder so I wouldnt think its that unusual, though my psychologist has suggested maybe ADHD. Im going to start signing my name like doctors do using all the acronyms of my mental health disorders. She didnt want to give me yet another label and I still would have to be tested, but I do think if Im Schizoaffective Bipolar type, bouncing between the moods make sense, you know what I mean.
Sleep has been really frustrating, Im currently sleeping for 2hrs and awake for 3 or 4. When Im awake Im not drowsy, its more like Im switched off, Im exhausted and want to sleep but theres no anything to me. Though I think thats in part because of the anti-smoking medication. On one of the medications Id sleep for 8 or 9 hours and then drowsy as hell all day. Typically Im asleep for a couple hours and thats it, maybe a nap at some point. I have an appointment with my sleep specialist in a couple weeks and Im hoping to go onto oxygen therapy this time, thats to deal with the really low blood oxygen level when Im asleep.
I applied for the NDIS a little over 2 months ago, I still havent heard back. Ive contacted my LAC and asked her to make sure it was submitted and see if she can find out how much longer it will be until I get an answer.
My psychiatrist has suggested that I consider applying for DSP. Ive had my spinal specialist suggest the same in the past but always worked around it but I think that I cant work around my mental health. I think that I am at the end of the road and its time to throw in the towel.
I have had in my head a grand scheme to change my career. Im currently in debt collection but I had decided to move into Natural Therapy. What I want to do is make natural skin products, along side hair care, home care and message lotions etc. I want to study to become a cosmetic chemist to facilitate this. Along with that I want to study aromatherapy, primarily to help with the essential oils and massage lotions etc. But I want to also do a diploma in Western Herbal Medicine. What I wanted to do is eventually have a Natural Therapy practice selling lotions, etc on the side.
I dont think I can though, I dont think I can safely say that I would be reliable enough to keep appointments long term. Even doing reduced hours I think between my back and my mental issues I would have to cancel to often and that wouldnt be fair on my clients and they wouldnt stick around long either.
So Ill stick with the course to become a cosmetic chemist, I might do the course in aromatherapy but if Im on DSP affording either is going to be really hard. I wanted to do the certified course in becoming a cosmetic chemist, there is a drop down course ½ the price but no qualification, but I might have to do that due to cost. Id rather get properly qualified though.
I finally worked out what I want to do with my life, enough that I would go and study, at 44 and Im too sick to do it.
The idea of going onto DSP worries me because I dont know how I will afford anything, like my medical costs are quite substantial, they would take a great deal of my DSP. I would reduce the costs of my medication, but private health and specialists make up a fair amount of money. I keep thinking Id have to work somehow, I have no idea how. Thats one of the reasons I am on the side of DSP, I cant imagine a job that I can actually go and do. Id register with a disability job service but I wouldnt hold out a huge amount of hope. Making and selling my own products is the only real hope that I have. There is less of a demand on me with that. I can make product and have it in stock and at my own leisure restock. The most demanding thing Id have would be in sending the parcels but that is manageable.
In response to: Re: Im getting an office space
tymeModerator
Hey @ClockFace ,
Good to hear from you!
It sounds like your specialists are supportive of you applying for the DSP. That's a start. I hope you hear from NDIS soon. I'm hearing people are waiting for a fair while to hear back. They seem to be prioritising all the young children first.
Anyway, hope things get better. I'm glad you are going to continue your course. All the best with it.
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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