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Need help

ScattersNew Contributor24 Dec 2018, 11:45 pm AEDT

Need help

I'm schizoaffective. I'm 24, no job or education, no car or license, I live in a bedsitter and I feel the future is getting bleak as I get older.

I've spent 9 times in psych wards, have spent 2 years in rehab which ended up kicking me out (had a bad drinking problem) and I spent 4 months on the streets.

No matter what I do, I can't seem to let go of the past. Life terrifies me. I know I need a job, but I'll come up with all these excuses not to get one, it's the same with cars and girlfriends - I have a very pessimistic view on life. Perhaps I'm scared of succeeding because I know everything will go wrong, or perhaps it's other factors I don't know or can't see.

What do I do? The time's running out. Soon I will be 30 and still like this, don't really know how much more I can take.

5 replies

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In response to: Need help

NiteKatSenior Contributor25 Dec 2018, 12:09 am AEDT

Re: Need help

Hi Scatters

Thanks for getting in touch with the forum overnight.

Sounds like a bad time for you right now but I applaud you for reaching out.

The forum can be a good place to feel you are being listened to and there are many members who may be able to share similar feelings to your own.

It gets a bit quieter overnight but check in with the forum regularly

Thanks

NiteKat (overnight moderator)

In response to: Re: Need help

AppleblossomSenior Contributor25 Dec 2018, 12:22 pm AEDT

Re: Need help

Hello @Scatters

You have been through a lot.

Cars and girlfriends can actually be very scary. My kids put off getting cars until late 20s. I rolled a car on my learners permit and that put me off for a while too. Though I have been driving solidly since late 20s.

There can be a wisdom to your fears, but it does help to find some area in life in which you can grow and learn new things. Whether it is music, larping .. gaming .. cooking ..

Am I reading it right that you no long drink very much alcohol? That can be huge in itself.

Take Care through the silly season.

In response to: Need help

emg_1Contributor30 Dec 2018, 12:27 am AEDT

Re: Need help

Hi there @Scatters
I hope you have gotten through the "silly season" thus far.
It takes guts to reach out like you have so you clearly are at a point where you want to make a change.

All the things you have mentioned are HUGE things and I couldn't imagine getting all of them under control at once.

My suggestion, which is totally based on my experiences and my journey and recovery would be to take things one at a time. To start with even set just some basic daily things that you can put on a list and tick them off.

I find making lists and tackling one problem at a time can be super rewarding.

For example: Getting a job
One day -
- work out things to put on resume and make a list of places you might want to work
Another day
- go to the library and type resume up/ if you need help check in at a community center and see where you can get there. (this may take a couple of days and break it down further if it means checking more things off your list)

Another day
- Hand out 1 resume and apply for one job online.

I hope this helps!!!
Here if you want some more help
🙂

In response to: Need help

outlanderSenior Contributor30 Dec 2018, 11:12 pm AEDT

Re: Need help

hi @Scatters
i dont have much to what the our other wonderful members have already said but wanted to welcome you here. Hope you feel up to responding soon.

In response to: Need help

FrankyW84Senior Contributor31 Dec 2018, 12:38 pm AEDT

Re: Need help

hi @Scatters,

Sounds like you have had a very rough path which I am sorry to hear. @emg_1 had some really good advice about taking things 1 step at a time.

Not sure of your exact situation but Centrelink should be able to refer you to a Job Search Australia provider which should be able to help you. There are employment services within most of these organisations which could support you through your mental health issues so that you are able to land a job and more importantly retain that employment.

I hope that helps somewhat. If you have any other questions, please reach out.

Regards,

Franky

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