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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by alienatari on May 16, 2005, at 5:59:23
Hey all. I have a post about my condition and all at the end of this message but id first like to tell you what happened to me today.
Here in Australia I applied for disability as my University suggested I do so, I did this with Centerlink (its social security in Australia). The main reason I did this was because I am unable to study fulltime and thus, do not get the benefits such as Austudy, concession cards for transport and so on.
My application for disability was rejected because, I cannot believe that they said this, "Bipolar Affective Disorder and Obsessive Compuslive Disorder are not life long illnesses and it is likely that you will recover from them within a two year period". Was the psychologist I saw at Centerlink stupid or what? I cant believe she passed her degree if she thinks that disorders like Bipolar and OCD are not life-long. What a complete moron! My psychatrist told me that they would be like this anyway, he said they are very dodgy and try their best not to grant disability. So anyway I am trying to dispute this and I have to fill out more forms, go see my psychatrist and get more information from him to give to them .etc. Its a pain.
What upsets me most is that I know someone that doesnt even see a psychatrist or psychologist, and he is on Disability for mental health problems. He spends all his money on illegal drugs and alcohol and doesnt even bother about trying to get an education or look for a job. I dont understand how he gets it where I, who have tried working (and failed) and am struggling to study and I really do need the money to buy my books and pay for my fees and so on, and I have seen several psychatrists (3), and psychologists (about 4 or so) and have been hospitalised several times .etc .etc and I my application for disability is rejected?
Do people in other countries with mental health problems get treated as badly as we do here in Australia? Its just so disgusting!
Anyway im over my rant now. Onto info about my diagnosis.I got all the information from what my psychatrists that I have seen have said and here is what they have diagnosed me with, i'll just post the relavent parts:
"I think Chris has an underlying Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with symptoms of Obsessive Compulsiveness and depression secondary to this"
That was from my first docsecond doc after being hospitalised:
"Christopher is suffering from a very severe obsessive compulsive disorder with generalised anxiety and social phobia and also some major depressive symptoms"
And the latest report:
"Christopher suffers from Bipolar Affective Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder"
So Im really confused about my diagnosis after reading what the psychatrists have been saying about me. I got all the information today to show my new psychatrist as he wanted the information. He doesnt seem to think that Im Bipolar, he mainly agrees with the second pdoc that said I have a very severe form of OCD from what he has told me in our one and only meeting. But I think its too early for him to make judgements about my illness (he said so himself).
They have also talked about sending me to the Anxiety Disorders Unit at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Has anyone ever been there? If Anafranil doesnt work out I seriously think I will give it a shot as NOTHING is working for my OCD and its totally destroying my life.
What other meds could I try? It seems like Ive been on everything! Why am I still on Depakote if im not Bipolar? How will I ever KNOW that Im Bipolar? Its so confusing.
Thanks for reading and take care.
Posted by Ritch on May 16, 2005, at 10:42:13
In reply to Upset :(, posted by alienatari on May 16, 2005, at 5:59:23
>...I got all the information from what my psychatrists that I have seen have said and here is what they have diagnosed me with, i'll just post the relavent parts:
"I think Chris has an underlying Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with symptoms of Obsessive Compulsiveness and depression secondary to this"
That was from my first docsecond doc after being hospitalised:
"Christopher is suffering from a very severe obsessive compulsive disorder with generalised anxiety and social phobia and also some major depressive symptoms"
And the latest report:
"Christopher suffers from Bipolar Affective Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder"
So Im really confused about my diagnosis after reading what the psychatrists have been saying about me. I got all the information today to show my new psychatrist as he wanted the information. He doesnt seem to think that Im Bipolar, he mainly agrees with the second pdoc that said I have a very severe form of OCD from what he has told me in our one and only meeting. But I think its too early for him to make judgements about my illness (he said so himself).
They have also talked about sending me to the Anxiety Disorders Unit at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Has anyone ever been there? If Anafranil doesnt work out I seriously think I will give it a shot as NOTHING is working for my OCD and its totally destroying my life.
What other meds could I try? It seems like Ive been on everything! Why am I still on Depakote if im not Bipolar? How will I ever KNOW that Im Bipolar? Its so confusing.
Thanks for reading and take care.
Did you ask your latest pdoc why you were still on Depakote if you're not bipolar? What did he say? It sounds like they suspect that bipolar is the root of your anxiety.. I definitely have bipolar and lots of anxiety and when the bipolar worsens (one way or the other) the anxiety gets worse, too. Do you think the Anafranil is making things *worse*? I think that going to the anxiety disorders unit is a good idea. You might run into a pdoc specialist there that can weed out a differential dx of bipolar better than your previous pdocs seem to be able to (they might do a better job of getting your dx straight).
Posted by ed_uk on May 16, 2005, at 10:47:21
In reply to Upset :(, posted by alienatari on May 16, 2005, at 5:59:23
Hi Chris!
I'm sorry to hear that things are so hard atm. I'm not sure what to advise but I just wanted to offer my support.
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by Declan on May 16, 2005, at 15:09:08
In reply to Re: Upset :( » alienatari, posted by ed_uk on May 16, 2005, at 10:47:21
Hi, not the best time to be getting onto a disability benefit in Australia now they are trying to shift people off them.
Declan
Posted by alienatari on May 17, 2005, at 1:11:23
In reply to Re: Upset :( » alienatari, posted by Ritch on May 16, 2005, at 10:42:13
Thanks. I really dont know. I did have one manic episode though, which was in hospital and the doctors there said I was manic so Im confused. Is there a way for me to get the information from the hospital? My new pdoc is friends with the pdoc that treated me in hospital so maybe he can get the information off him?
I really dont know. I guess im scared to stop the Depakote. Everyone in my family is begging me not to stop it. When I stopped it before is when I went off. When I stop the anti-manic meds I dont sleep for weeks, start to halucinate and hear voices .etc I really do think I am bipolar.
The Anafranil is helping a lot with the Anxiety. I love it actually. I really cant wait to up the dosage so It can help my OCD as its really bad at the moment.
Take care.
> >...I got all the information from what my psychatrists that I have seen have said and here is what they have diagnosed me with, i'll just post the relavent parts:
>
> "I think Chris has an underlying Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with symptoms of Obsessive Compulsiveness and depression secondary to this"
> That was from my first doc
>
> second doc after being hospitalised:
>
> "Christopher is suffering from a very severe obsessive compulsive disorder with generalised anxiety and social phobia and also some major depressive symptoms"
>
> And the latest report:
>
> "Christopher suffers from Bipolar Affective Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder"
>
> So Im really confused about my diagnosis after reading what the psychatrists have been saying about me. I got all the information today to show my new psychatrist as he wanted the information. He doesnt seem to think that Im Bipolar, he mainly agrees with the second pdoc that said I have a very severe form of OCD from what he has told me in our one and only meeting. But I think its too early for him to make judgements about my illness (he said so himself).
>
> They have also talked about sending me to the Anxiety Disorders Unit at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. Has anyone ever been there? If Anafranil doesnt work out I seriously think I will give it a shot as NOTHING is working for my OCD and its totally destroying my life.
>
> What other meds could I try? It seems like Ive been on everything! Why am I still on Depakote if im not Bipolar? How will I ever KNOW that Im Bipolar? Its so confusing.
>
> Thanks for reading and take care.
>
>
> Did you ask your latest pdoc why you were still on Depakote if you're not bipolar? What did he say? It sounds like they suspect that bipolar is the root of your anxiety.. I definitely have bipolar and lots of anxiety and when the bipolar worsens (one way or the other) t
he anxiety gets worse, too. Do you think the Anafranil is making things *worse*? I think that going to the anxiety disorders unit is a good idea. You might run into a pdoc specialist there that can weed out a differential dx of bipolar better than your previous pdocs seem to be able to (they might do a better job of getting your dx straight).
Posted by alienatari on May 17, 2005, at 1:13:11
In reply to Re: Upset :( » alienatari, posted by ed_uk on May 16, 2005, at 10:47:21
Thanks Ed, I really appreciate that :)
So how are things with you? I read your post about considering dropping your degree, I hope you find a good solution for everything. Take care :)> Hi Chris!
>
> I'm sorry to hear that things are so hard atm. I'm not sure what to advise but I just wanted to offer my support.
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.
Posted by alienatari on May 17, 2005, at 1:22:00
In reply to Re: Upset :(, posted by Declan on May 16, 2005, at 15:09:08
Yea I totally agree. Ahhh i hate the howard government!!
But the thing is the new changes are not into effect yet so everyone was saying I should be fine.
You wont believe this, my aunty who is intellectually disabled and schizophrenic is on disability and they were trying to make her work 15 hours a week!! SHE CANT EVEN BATH HER SELF!!!!
Or even go to the toilet by herself, she needs 24 hours a day care and they expect her to work!!!I have an appointment with centerlink tommorrow, FUN! lol.
They sent me a letter today saying you can appeal the decision once, and then if they refuse again you can get someone else to look at it. If I get refused again after that Im just going to re-apply again. Im not going to let this go. And the horrible psychologist that saw me acted as if she was so caring and nice and was going to enroll me into some programs that help you get work experience to get work and it was all BS!
> Hi, not the best time to be getting onto a disability benefit in Australia now they are trying to shift people off them.
> Declan
Posted by ed_uk on May 17, 2005, at 9:55:08
In reply to Re: Upset :( Ed_UK, posted by alienatari on May 17, 2005, at 1:13:11
Hi Alien!
I think I'm just gonna do my exams and see how I do :-S
Kind regards,
Ed.PS. You should switch your babblemail on! I might want to email you some time!
Posted by alienatari on May 17, 2005, at 19:24:56
In reply to Re: Upset :( Ed_UK » alienatari, posted by ed_uk on May 17, 2005, at 9:55:08
Thats great. I hope u do great.
Hey sorry about Babbelmail, i dont know how to switch it on lol i keep trying to msg people but I always mess it up. Ill try and do it now. Ill try and babbel you in a second.
My emails spacedoutkid@gmail.com btw :)
Take care
> Hi Alien!
>
> I think I'm just gonna do my exams and see how I do :-S
>
> Kind regards,
> Ed.
>
> PS. You should switch your babblemail on! I might want to email you some time!
Posted by Declan on May 17, 2005, at 23:13:17
In reply to Re: Upset :(, posted by alienatari on May 17, 2005, at 1:22:00
One day, (if there's noone worse around), we'll be able to say "The memory of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable".
Declan
This is the end of the thread.
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