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Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor21 June 2016, 1:18 am AEST

Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Hi all @ Utopia here.
Bad day today. Had to attend my two employment agencies today. One is linked to Workcover. The other is linked with Centrelink. I go into the Job network provider this morning to hand in my Centrelink Medical Cert. My Case Manager comes out and asks if I can do any of my study course. I said no I can't. She then starts in on how much money has been spent 'by them' etc etc.
I knew this was her bullying tactic at work. I had seen it before.
So I have handed over an official Centrelink Med Cert that exemps me from work or training for the next 28 days, due to depression with increasing suicidal ideation.
So my Case Manager, having just read through the form and knows my full MI history - I've only been out of hospital for 3 weeks and I'm trying hard to hold things together & do what I need to do to recover..... and here she is trying to give me guilt over the fact I'm not able to continue with the study course.
I got so frustrated and angry and I stormed out.
But the rest of the day was shit - I'd let her get to me. Theb my negative self talk increased. Far too much and fast to cope with. I went home and went to bed.
Does anyone else have experience with Centrelink or Workcover where they just make you feel like a bludger, a nuisance?

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In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Unknown userMember22 June 2016, 6:51 am AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Both.

No one can understand. Even if they have a mental illness too, they still can't apply that to other people.

And secondly, unfortunately, mental illness is the new 'trendy' equivalent of the old back injury scam that was/is rife.

You can't disprove it, really, and sadly, top many scammer are jumping on the wagon.

I dare say centerlink are practically flooded with cases, and eventually after realising that may of them are not genuine, they would naturally started to get jaded / suspicious / disbeleiving.

It's only going to get worse.

I've even on a disability pension for..nearly 10 Years? For 4 comorbid disorders of a high degree.

But I mentioned that to my new Psychiatrist and he practically radiated a zeal to get rid of that asap.

I don't know what's going to happen.

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor22 June 2016, 3:22 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Thank @Former-Member.
If only these organisations would communicate with each other & maybe with my psychiatrist or psychologist.
Yes I believe you are right. Things are only going to get harder. We are a burden to them. But I'm not a burden to my son, to my family and friends or to my community. I still have plenty to offer. I'm going to keep working hard with my therapists and keep improving. Stuff Centrelink

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor22 June 2016, 3:23 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

All the best to you @Former-Member.

In response to: Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

AppleblossomSenior Contributor22 June 2016, 3:46 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Centrelink staff need to be educated about the issues like many others. In the meantime I hope that not too many people fall through the cracks.

In response to: Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

hope77Senior Contributor23 June 2016, 11:43 am AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

as per normal in this country and i dare say in this world the who are honest have to suffer for the few who are dishonest. it stands to reason if your current illness has been regonised by trained phychrist then you a honest. just there stupidity and the lack of education of mental illness i can only speak for myself my recurrent depression and anixiety and phycosis is no lie. i have accepted it is a chemical imbalance in my brain. not much fun. wake up world!!!!

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor23 June 2016, 4:56 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Very true @hope77. More awareness and training in the general and business communities would be great. I'm very sensitive at the moment to my triggers-such as not being understood or being pressured by others. It's too much at the moment. Hopefully as I keep working through my feelings with my psychologist, I will be less sensitive to others remarks.
It's great to hear that you have accepted your MI. Now we just need the 'world' to accept our illnesses. I'd settle on my little world around me. Then it can spread out from there.

In response to: Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

hope77Senior Contributor23 June 2016, 5:41 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

feel for @utopia triggers can be difficult to deal with. Sending you a big hug. somtimes i feel helpless about others ignorance sometimes i'am angry and sometimes i just cry and yesterday i gave someone a little imformation to give them some balance they were just looking at MI as a problem you should get over and quickly. Unfortuneley some people will not understand until they experience it. Feel sorry for them they missing out on such beautiful intellegent people

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

utopiaSenior Contributor23 June 2016, 7:14 pm AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

I couldn't agree more @hope77. There are many wonderful people in this world that have MI. I've met some amazing people at the hospital, and on the streets. Everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has things to offer. Pity if people are too scared to get to know others just because of MI. Imagine not knowing someone just because they had cancer or diabetes. Doesn't make sense.
However, there are some good people out there, who don't judge. These are the friends we need to keep close.
Hope your day has been a good one @hope77

In response to: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

SehnsuchtSenior Contributor28 June 2016, 12:34 am AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

Jeepers. Hugs.

In response to: Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

hope77Senior Contributor28 June 2016, 10:38 am AEST

Re: Do they really not understand or do they not care.

I think because of my memory problems I will keep a record of my appointments and information that I collect and dates. in hard copy, so I have in on hand if someone ask me. in regards to my diagnosis and ask my doctor if I'm ready for work or study. Isn't that the way to do it???

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