DogMan's Journal

I seems that weekend coffee threads are a thing of the past. Which were my main space to share about myself

I thought I'd start my own thread. My username is a reference to the AFL team. I don't have a pet dog. I love dogs, but live in a small unit with 2 cockatiels (Collectively known as "The Chook Mans")

I've been in the mental health care system since 2003. At that time, I really hadn't seen any doctor for 12 years. The family who adopted me in my adolescence never once took me to a doctor

2003, during my honours year in a Fine Arts degree, I presented at uni health services in a mess. I said that I was embarrassed to be there, I requested a female doctor. So I think they assumed I had issues with my junk. And she quite taken aback when I mentioned psychotic symptoms

I was referred to CATT. Lots of it was done by phone. I had an in person appointment with the CMHT. The psychiatrist there said she suspected Schizophrenia. We negotiated no hospital as long as I gained weight prior to next appointment (I had some funny ideas about food and farming)

The antipsychotics made me very hungry. So that was rather easy

I did manage to graduate. My 4th year marks weren't great. Then I sort of accidentally met someone who knew someone looking for casual staff in childcare. So I applied and worked in childcare. Progressing up through ful time permanent staff

I moved a lot in Canberra, but did okay for years

2009 I had a big relapse. I took 6 weeks off work. I did have that much leave accrued. Since I rarely took leave. But when I returned, the dynamic changed and I was on the outer. My job became untenable

I moved to regional victoria and enrolled in a Master of IT (A conversion masters. So similar to undergrad but shorter. Which is possible if you have a degree in another discipline)

Mid way through, my housemate left chips cooking on the stove and accidentally burned my house down

So I took an early exit point of a Postgraduate Certificate. I contacted my mum, who I had had very little to do with since I was adopted in the early 90s (It's a long story)

I briefly stayed with mum by the beach

My sister got divorced around the same time. So I found somewhere to live with my sister in Melbourne. It didn't last long, the landlord developed the property into apartments

A period of couch surfing and homelessness followed

My (bio) mum's health had deteriorated and doctors recommended she didn't live alone. We moved into Social Housing together. We moved here in 2012, mum died in 2024, which was apparently her record for staying in one place. I'm still in the same unit and it's my record too

Lockdown broke me. I've seen various outpatient services. And professionals have played "Musical Chairs" with my diagnosis specifics. They all agree on Schizophrenia and Seasonal Affective Disorder. But other additions include OCD, PTSD, OSDD, ASD and others

I've been with my current psychologist since 2022. Which is a record for me. I've had longer dealings with psychiatrists, but not psychologists. I don't currently have a psychiatrist. But my GP formerly worked in psychiatry in the UK

My Psychologist is trying to get me into a psychiatrist. They keep deeming me "Outside their scope". I'm currently being referred to the local CFMHS Forensic Service. The "Harm OCD" is currently being viewed as actually potentially dangerous

I do a monthly zoom peer group for voice hearers. I think next Monday is our next meeting

My team want me to apply for the NDIS. They actually signed me up without my consent in 2018. I was grandfathered onto the scheme from it's predecessors. I opted out straight away

So that's a bit about me

@fluttershy1 @taali @cuddlebear @chasingsunsets @missgremlin @dimity @appleblossum @nala2022 @bow @captain24 @jynx @smilinggecko

I don't really know who to tag. I've generally aimed for active people who are generally nice to me

Picture of chook mans: