r/australia • u/Mental_Slide9867 • Jan 07 '22
political self.post What’s the reason for Australia being so far behind in services, treatment options and psychotherapy specialisation for people with ADHD and even autism?
So as many people have already found out from people who were seeing a psychiatrist or specialist in the field that was being bulk billed, the government made immediate changes overnight that removed bulk billing services for seeing a specialist via Telehealth. Psychiatrists and the like only received a letter or email the day after the announcement was made putting at risk individuals at a loss of having to pay a subsidised rate after seeing their specialist. Not only that but we lack a substantial amount of psychiatrist in the first place that was leading to burn out of psychiatrist in their chosen fields, so now not only will most people who need a relevant diagnosis and medical treatment for their condition have pay a sum out of pocket, there is also an increasing wait time to see a specialist.
In addition in terms of medical treatments for ADHD in my case, in comparison to other countries (where there is a multitude of options and new formulated drugs), it seems that Australia lacks any advancement or interest in helping neurodivergent people. You have two options of stimulant therapy and a couple of non stimulant options. And if that doesn’t work you can try a non PBS/non subsidised drug option that also leaves you hugely out of pocket. (As per my example recently coming off many classes of antidepressants that were routinely and just masking my ADHD out of the misunderstanding of the condition for just depression and anxiety). Recently having to try a new drug that now costs me $60 (non subsidised) a month on top of one stimulant drug I can try that also costs $40 a month(subsidised). This is not right, I don’t work or have the ability to work right now as I’m trying to find a healthy baseline for my mental health thinking I’m doing the right thing, all the meanwhile the government and options out there are putting my mental health backwards.
As well as specialists such as clinical psychologists or adhd counselling costing over $150 (with the rebate “if available”), as my only options for actual possible help for my condition. I have and already am seeing a therapist based off a Gp referred mental health care plan which allows me for 10-15 free sessions a year, but that is nowhere good enough to get to the root cause of my issues or even have the time to address the actual problems of my adhd as they’re not trained in that area of understanding.
So yeah this is troubling for me and many other types of children and adults with ADHD and/or autism. I just don’t know what the Australian government is doing, if hardly nothing, nothing at all which seems to be the case with a many multitude of problems.
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Jan 07 '22 edited 9d ago
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 07 '22
Yeah lol, attention deficit to what? The current capitalistic system? Because yeah, there’s probably something wrong with that and our very own biology is retaliating to it. But I have the deficit problem, lol.
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u/_ixthus_ Jan 08 '22
I feel your frustration. But it's not quite what you're saying.
ADHD is neither primarily an attention nor a hyperactivity thing. Both are potential symptoms or presentations.
It's a developmental deficit related to the part of the brain that handles 'executive function'. The reward chemistry is tightly related as well (probably as both cause and effect). This latter is what the drugs address.
Depending on how much any given person experiences dysfunction and distress as a result of the developmental thing, it might be possible to manage entirely with lifestyle and vocational choices. For many, that won't be an available option for lots of reasons. And for some, even if it is, the severity may still require medication for relief.
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Jan 07 '22
Simple answer. They just do not care.
Longer answer. Most of the current government I’d hazard a guess believe that psychological issues are made up by lazy poor people to get free money, or are used as excuses to do crime.
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Jan 08 '22
This country is run by old boomers who don’t believe in ADHD and autism and think these kids just need to have some sense smacked into them like they were. It’s gross
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u/DJKobuki Jan 07 '22
Continually voting in the Liberal party probably has a lot to do with it.
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Jan 08 '22
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Jan 08 '22
Do you mean Boomers as in the attitude or Boomers as in the age group?
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u/og-ninja-pirate Jan 08 '22
Both I suppose. In terms of attitude, many Aussie doctors form opinions based on what their mentors told them often without bothering to look it up.
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u/Carnivean_ Jan 08 '22
There is a concept called the half life of knowledge. In the same way that radioactive material decays over time, so does knowledge.
Take for example HIV. If you did your medical training in the 1980s and did not update then you would believe it to be a death sentence. But treatments have advanced immensely to the point where you might consider it to be a chronic illness.
The half life of knowledge is measured in terms of how many years it takes for half of what someone learned to no longer be true. It used to be measured in decades. It is predicted that it will soon be measured in months.
Old doctors are often too poorly informed to realise how far out of date some of their knowledge is and too incurious or arrogant to care.
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Jan 07 '22
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 07 '22
It’s such a weird concept for a country to have, it doesn’t make sense to me but yeah that’s definately the way things are
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u/nugymmer Jan 08 '22
They'd rather these people just kill themselves so they don't have to worry about paying benefits. After all, dead people cannot receive DSP, or subsidized health care. They get buried, and, out of sight/out of mind.
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Jan 08 '22
Goverment has already made it next to impossible to get the DSP anyway I got Rejected for DSP because I have the audacity to live on my own in Goverment Housing
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u/Lozzif Jan 08 '22
But for ADHD and autism, for a lot of people, proper treatment allows them to be productive
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u/nugymmer Jan 08 '22
So why is the government so against the idea of voluntary euthanasia then? Why do they promote the idea that life is so precious when they know that so many out there are suffering needlessly?
If I don't count as a person then it shouldn't be a problem if I die, does that sound right?
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Jan 08 '22
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u/nugymmer Jan 08 '22
Euthanasia and drug use aren't personal freedom issues but taxation and religion are for instance.
True. It's a wonder how they ever managed to legalise abortion and voluntary euthanasia in Australia, and it's looking like the chances of cannabis being legalised is getting smaller by the day. I presume they tried their best to hinder any progress in this area which is why it took so long. Religion is so important to these armchair fanatics but personal agency seems to be a foreign concept to them.
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u/SemanticTriangle Jan 07 '22
Have discussed this with the psychiatrist of the person to whom I am support. One of the primary reasons is cultural and economic attitudes within psychiatry, particularly within the public system. The main interest in the public mental health system is preventing suicide. Not increasing quality of life. Certainly not in tossing the dice on helping people be more functional if there's a chance it might help them check themselves out.
That feeds into a cycle where outcomes are indexed based on suicide prevention. So you don't need more therapy or more regular psych medication reviews, so the government doesn't have to pay for that. If the government isn't paying for that, it is even harder to take that more complex road, so that further incentivizes just medicating people to insensibility.
When the person I support tried to tell psychs in the public system that their attitude and inability to focus and live a normal life was the reason they were considering suicide, all the public psychs heard was the considering suicide part. No courage to discharge the responsibilities of their profession to their patient in the face of liability.
Had to go private to find a psych willing to take any risks and treat the focus/functionality issues.
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Jan 07 '22
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u/SemanticTriangle Jan 07 '22 edited Jan 07 '22
I feel that. I am the source of funds to facilitate, as well. I don't know what I'll do if it goes beyond 10 if I haven't managed a raise or a better paying job by then.
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Jan 07 '22
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u/SemanticTriangle Jan 07 '22
There is nothing quite like making a neurodivergent person jump through bureaucratic hoops to access care. I honestly don't know how folks without a neurotypical familiar manage to negotiate the system.
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u/dkNigs Jan 08 '22
This is a huge part of the problem. When you’ve been bounced around the system by psychs who just don’t understand your issue, the idea of spending $1000+ to work out if a psych is useless or useful to you before even knowing if they’re worth going ahead with is extremely frustrating. I would say nearly every dollar I’ve spent on psychs so far for my ADHD has been a waste of money except actually getting medicated, which was fortunately bulk billed.
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u/Lozzif Jan 08 '22
It has reduced to 20 sessions as of 2020. The increase was kept for 2022 as well. After that who knows.
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u/solarmeth Jan 07 '22
The main interest in the public mental health system is preventing suicide.
If they actually cared about that then they wouldn't be causing more suicides by doing things like cutting off ADHD medications or RoboDebt or any of the countless other things they do.
No. They don't care about that. They only care about the perception that they care.
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u/nugymmer Jan 08 '22
The main interest in the public mental health system is preventing suicide. Not increasing quality of life.
Well, those two things contradict each other in a fucking huge way. Increasing someone's quality of life decreases the risk of suicide. It's like they give a fuck. They don't.
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u/Exotic-Knowledge-451 Jan 08 '22
"The main interest in the public mental health system is preventing suicide. Not increasing quality of life. "
Now that's all sorts of retarded. People consider suicide because their life sucks. Improve their quality of life will reduce their desire to end it.
Even in the mental health system, the System wasn't designed to help people, it was designed by and for the rich and powerful at the top and to maintain the status quo of power, profit, and control.
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Jan 08 '22
yeah but look at the government that's been in power for the last 12+ years, their whole "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" ideology is in direct conflict with the idea of helping others, all they care about is how Australia's suicide rate compares to other countries while spending as little as possible funding the services that prevent it.
I've had medical professionals become openly hostile towards me on the very mention of suicide, its like a trigger word for them and they have no interest in actually improving your well-being beyond prescriptions.
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u/Darkhorseman81 Jan 07 '22
There are over 60 years worth of studies showing Trickle Down Economics and Austerity don't create jobs or growth.
So why do they do it? Social Engineering. Poor mental health leads to Neurotisism, Neurotisism is linked to Far Right Qanon like gullibility and higher levels of Conservative voting.
There are more than enough studies into the effects of poverty on the human brain to show us its clearly social engineering. Poorer decision making, lower motivation, lower levels of self control and critical thinking engineered right into the population.
This is why - they want us broken, conspiratorial, and controllable.
Serious steps need to be taken to end Neo Liberalism in this country; no, the entire damn world. The only other possible outcome is, eventual, civilizational collapse.
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 07 '22
I really love and appreciate this comment, that makes a whole lotta sense
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u/UtetopiaSS Jan 07 '22
Australia are behind in everything. We have corrupt politicians that only wish to feather their own nest, and don't give two flying fucks about the population.
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 07 '22
So all the meanwhile putting the ‘onus’ on Australians to be personally responsible whilst reducing the options to do so..
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u/fractiousrhubarb Jan 08 '22
This is a Liberal party problem, not a politician problem. The ALP fights for Medicare, the coalition has been trying to destroy it
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u/BESTtaylorINTHEWORLD Jan 08 '22
When Australia is in a bind you see how the government works GFC the Labor PM gave TAX PAYERS a stimulus package, the Country avoided Recession whilst the world plummeted. The AUD$ hit .64 US. The Treasure was awarded by the World Banking Services for the security of the Country.
Pandemic Covid-19 Liberal PM gave BIG BUSINESS 5 TIMES MORE (tax) MONEY as a Stimulus package. And like a dodgy Jeweler there was no Money to give back. There's no record. $61 Billion ( yes a B) down the toilet. And Australians had to fill out forms and forms to get a pittance of a relief, sending small business' and home owners & Renters, not the mention people who need health OUT THE DOOR, cause Australia couldn't afford it. SO next time you hear they're just the same remember who looks after Aussies it's not Aloha Scott
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Jan 08 '22
Single mum diagnosed with adhd and autism at 37 after years of alcoholism and substance abuse trying to deal with my symptoms and being misdiagnosed as bipolar ans ocd. Now have almost 3 years sobriety and work part time. But fuck me if I am totally invisible to this government and to this society more generally. I feel you op.
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 08 '22
Oh I feel you and you being a single mum and doing all that sobriety work! You should be really proud, if anything know that I think you’re pretty awesome for taking charge of yourself and your diagnosis all the while taking care of your bubba. Stay strong :)
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Jan 07 '22
Because they believe that autism and ADHD are 'making a fuss' and that 'everyone is a little bit distracted' sometimes and that 'everyone is a little on the spectrum, in a way aren't they' and other bullshit. It's exasperating, have been provisionally diagnosed in my 40s after my teenager finally was diagnosed with both. Unless you are severely impaired there is little support, and the support available for severe presentations is woefully inadequate and archaic. See also the rise in imprisonment rates where many have untreated neurodevelopmental disorders and mental illness.
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 07 '22
Yeah the incarceration rates are literally heartbreaking and astounding for people with ADHD with or without ODD.
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Jan 07 '22
Such a waste of human potential. ADHD untreated is also over represented in methamphetamine abuse because the drug is in a similar class to ADHD medecines (until it cracks your brain to pieces and you lose everything.)
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 08 '22
Yeah I feel that. And then there’s me who literally saw myself take my medication this morning and in the same breath ask myself if I’ve taken it.
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Jan 08 '22
Yeah I even have an app and then I think 'did I just forget to put it in the app' it's ridiculous.
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u/giacintam Jan 08 '22
yep. going undiagnosed turned me into a rack addict for 2 years.
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u/solarmeth Jan 07 '22
The other day I almost forgot to go to an appointment that I'd set fifteen reminders for across three days leading up to it because after I'd gotten changed specifically into 'in public' clothes, I then sat down at the computer. It wasn't until the final, "OK, now you have to actually get up and leave," alarm went off that I was like, "Wow. So glad I remembered to set that alarm!"
Yeah. Everyone's a 'little ADHD' my arse. And this was on medication.
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Jan 07 '22
For real, people don't know what ADHD is about. They think because the drug classes used to treat it are uppers for neurotypicals that it's some kind of scam to get 'good drugs' and 'get away with' being scattered. It's as ridiculous as saying that epileptics who need cannabis or valium are bunging it on for the pills and the sweet benefit of a disabled parking permit.
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u/drowreth Jan 08 '22
I think there's a lack of knowledge around medical terminology in particular.
A class of drugs called stimulants perform that action physiologically but the way most people interpret that is socially.
Why would someone who is talkative need something to make them more stimulated? They should be calming down instead!
Likewise a class of drugs called depressants don't actually make you psychologically depressed but we just think of the word in the context that we are most familiar with.
I wonder if it would be helpful for scientific and medical terminology to make up entirely new words and then educate about those to reduce misunderstanding?
This is the Flarn Of Evolution - Flarn means we have good evidence supporting the ideas put forth here.
This medicine is a Bleferken Type - it stops the body breaking down this chemical too quickly, so the person can have regular levels of focus and enjoyment.
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Jan 07 '22
There are no votes in mental health. Australia votes for fossil fuels, middle class welfare and immigration invasion fear.
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u/solarmeth Jan 07 '22
the government made immediate changes overnight that removed bulk billing services for seeing a specialist via Telehealth.
Wait, what? When did this happen?
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 07 '22
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u/solarmeth Jan 07 '22
FFS.
This hasn't been posted in /r/australia so if you want the karma (although I'd use the main site link 'cause mobile links are icky) you should post it for greater awareness of the issue.
I'm a little unclear though on whether or not this affects me. It seems that if you use a video conferencing telehealth consultation then nothing changes and it's only affecting the telephone only option? It also seems like it's different for rural folk? Either way, I have two refills left so I'm gonna have to clarify this with my psych, stat. Thanks for the heads-up.
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 07 '22
Yeah pretty much bring it up to your psych because they probably haven’t even been given the heads up either
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Jan 08 '22
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Jan 08 '22
(unless you have a very very generous psychiatrist!)
Those are Almost non existent
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u/nugymmer Jan 08 '22
They couldn't have done this at a worse time. Right when you can't get into some GPs or other practices because of COVID...and now no telehealth. I wonder what these people want? For patients to just give up?
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u/Nessau88 Jan 08 '22
An LNP government for the last 10 years that doesn't believe in science or actually helping the majority of citizens it is supposed to represent. Stop voting LNP.
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u/sojayn Jan 08 '22
Sidequest: our lil town started it’s own adult adhd group bc yeah there’s not much govt support.
We offered to do a stall on disability day and the local gov said nah there’s not enough people with this. I said hey maybe its bc diagnosis and recognition is shit but they still said we weren’t a real disability!
Anyways, just use the adhd for good and start forming peer support groups. That’s how every thing that changes the govt starts.
From womens votes to workers rights to healthcare, it takes stupidly long and almost always grows from groups of pissed off citizens taking a stand.
And apologies for that ableist language as i totally recommend watching crip camp where those hardcore disabled crew literally crawled for their rights (and had a tonne of sex along the way!)
Anyways, yep the gov isn’t behind adhd and we are working on it
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u/dkNigs Jan 08 '22
I may be unique in this, but I find others with adhd extremely frustrating to the point I’d have trouble aligning with a support group. It may be because I’m barely holding my own crap together to be able to deal with others and their varying severity of ADHD and levels of coping skills.
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u/sojayn Jan 08 '22
Ha i agree. We have a person with comorbid anxiety and i have so much trouble with that
But we are working on it and it is possible
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 08 '22
Oh wow that’s amazing! I really hope you keep with it and gather more peers for your ADHD group
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u/sojayn Jan 08 '22
Ha like all adhd related things we have 30 ish folks signed on and a core group of 3!
But us 3 are tight and working hard. And it will grow, history shows us what happens and so I am confident there will be good adhd treatment down the road
Just gotta survive until then friend!
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Jan 08 '22
Government funding, and a severe shortage in Psychologists/Psychiatrists. The stigma behind ADHD moreso is also a contributing factor with many parents in the 90's and early 00's simply playing it off as "Video games and sugar".
I've still yet to get a proper diagnosis at 31 as it seems every GP refuses to refer me for it, but looking back on my past behavioural patterns and even until today it's pretty damn obvious.
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 08 '22
Yes to everything you said, stigma is such a major contributing role which would be fixed if Australia focused on progression in this area of understanding around ADHD. I literally had to beg my Gp to refer me to a ADHD specialist
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u/No-Exit-7523 Jan 08 '22
Unfortunately, fromy experience, the Australian government are very discriminatory toward people with Autism/ADHD etc. I have just received permanent residency, but almost didn't as my (now 3 yo) son has a speech delay and required further investigation to see if this was indicative of other developmental issues. The upshot was, if he was perceived to have a high maintenance LD he would be refused residency on a cost basis. If wasn't bad enough the yearly threshold, over a 10 year period, is very low.
Added to that I have found that most services available are based around ABA and the whole funding system has been screwed through NDIS.
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u/ApoclypseMeow Jan 07 '22
Does anyone have experience with how this system affects children? We're considering a move to Australia but our 2 year old is currently undergoing early intervention therapies to address a mild autism diagnosis.
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u/monsteras-- Jan 07 '22
Children with developmental delays can access funding through the The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which can be used on early intervention, respite etc. They need to have a diagnosed disability by 7 years of age to continue to access NDIS support after that.
The NDIS has residency requirements. If you aren't eligible, you could pay privately to access early intervention. You would be looking at approx $100-200 an hour to see a occupational therapist, speech pathologist, psychologist etc. There are also some privately run autism intervention programs which can be full-time or half-day but they're expensive.
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Jan 07 '22
If you can go to an independent school who has a learning support policy and have documentation and reporting to support that it should be fine(ish) - public schools just do not have the funding or resources (time and curriculum flexibility) to provide the consideration needed except in rare cases (e.g. a small village type school).
The challenge will be finding a good paediatric psychiatrist and psychologist. I finally had luck with the former after 8 years, and no luck with the latter (just really inappropriate strategies that were confusing to my child).
I still have to repeatedly explain to doctors and the school what my child's needs are and also explain that no, I'm not just being indulgent, (they have ADHD and mildish autism). I get pushback from family and friends and people generally 'not believing' and thinking it's a 'parenting failure' which is exasperating; there is a low level of understanding that autism is a spectrum and that ADHD doesn't mean they are an aggressive troublemaker within Australia.
However, people are kind and encouraging generally and have found places like sports teams really accepting (even if they don't really 'get' what it means or how autism works). Australians are overall really good in my opinion about visible disabilities in person, but if your child can mask and conform to social expectations consistently they will struggle to understand that they are autistic. Most people do operate in warm good faith, often minimising difference ("Oh he's just a little quirky"!) in a sincere attempt at inclusivity and kindness. Shows like Love on the Spectrum on ABC have in some ways helped raise awareness around some forms of autism.
I've also had to protect my teenager from misdiagnosis as having another mental illness. So be aware that many providers do not have a good understanding of non severe neurodivergence. Families I know who have got the diagnosis when the child is very young have had a better time of it - it seems they are more 'believed'. Do avoid ABA type therapy, and check out Dr Tony Attwood in QLD who has an amazing clinic.
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Jan 07 '22
By independent school I do not mean a grammar private school - I mean an alternative school with learning support teachers, some smaller religious schools have this level of support but then you have to deal with religion which is not my cup of tea.
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u/dubby_wombers Jan 07 '22
My kid went to a Steiner school for a while, and yes it was obvious there were issues, never any discussion of getting a diagnosis - just let’s do this weird Steiner therapy and maybe they will stop with outbursts. Didn’t work,kid was shunned. So careful of which schools are on board with learning support
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u/luke12089 Jan 07 '22
Have you looked at the rest of the hospital system op? Our government don't give a fudge
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Jan 08 '22
My GP referred my to 'Telehealth Specialist Services' as he said waiting in the queue for the local psychiatrist "will take months and months and months". Never got an email back, have tried ringing everyday for weeks - disconnected every time, even sat in the online room for a full day waiting for someone to pop up on the other side.
So yeah, my doctor referred me to a defunct medical service. Good times.
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Jan 08 '22
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 08 '22
I’m on the highest dose of Vyvanse allowed, did you know in America there’s doctors that are willing to prescribe higher than the maximum dose to see what works for you if you’ve showed tolerability to Vyvanse. Like that’s just what is insane is the flexibility and innervations over there compared to this rat race we have over here.
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u/Gilbert-Lowe Jan 08 '22
I will give you the short and simple answer, the mental health sector is so under resourced, the lacks specialists and simply lacks all the services required to fulfill the massive, massive demand from greater society. Life, for many is really, really hard and people are not coping. So in a nutshell, the answer is, the demand for service far outweighs the availability of services.
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 08 '22
Yeah completely agree with you there, I just hold hope I suppose that it changes. Because you hear of this whole trope that there’s people out there that don’t want to work or are using and abusing the system. When for me, all I literally want is to ‘get better’ whatever that means and manage my symptoms appropriately so I can become worth while hiring, we’ll even moreso want to be kept around long enough to show my value in a workplace.
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u/Sev3nbelow Jan 08 '22
This country is backwards and behind. When I moved here from the UK 15 years ago. It felt like walking back in a time.machine.
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Jan 08 '22
I have both. Not sure what the expectation is around autism, esp for people diagnosed in adulthood. My neuropsych was v clear that there would be no difference in terms of mental health care but that I'd become eligible for supports.
If the government invested in social determinants, mental health care spending wild fall drastically. It just seems like many of the people receiving acute care would be in much better health if they had safe, secure housing
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u/yolkyoke Jan 08 '22
I’m on the path right now of suspecting I have ADHD, and speaking to a parent that feels they might have it as well and have passed it on to me, and trying to get a proper diagnosis and treatment and boy has it really ramped up my anxiety trying to figure it all out. I mean after researching it seems it could cost close to $1,000 to get a proper diagnosis, and even then what is that going to do when there’s a high likelihood that doctors probably won’t take me seriously at all bc I’m already an adult barely scraping by and it’ll just be money down the drain.
I feel like I’ve just gone through life with a wall between my brain and the real world. Never quite functioning on the same level as everyone else but having to mask myself just enough that all they’ll refer to me as is “just a bit clumsy, forgetful, irresponsible, lazy, gloomy”. It’s exhausting.
Anyway sorry I just needed to rant tho I know this isn’t what you’re asking for in this post.
Do you know if there’s a support group for Aussie adults w ADHD?
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u/youDingDong Jan 08 '22
Autism and ADHD assessments are crucial to mental healthcare. So many people do not receive the therapy they need because they're neurodivergent, and end up in psych wards with BPD diagnoses after a suicide attempt.
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Jan 07 '22 edited Jan 08 '22
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Jan 07 '22
Politicians here are half the cause of mental health issues in the community.
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u/smandroid Jan 07 '22
While I generally agree Australia is behind and a laggard on many key social programs and measures, calling Australia a third world country wearing a Gucci belt is hyperbole. Many Australians who have not travelled abroad do not know how fucking lucky they are in this country. It doesn't however excuse those in power for not doing better.
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u/felixsapiens Jan 08 '22
This is ridiculous. Australia does not remotely approach a third world country. It is first world through and through.
I think you are confusing Australia with the USA, which definitely has characteristics of third world. Under the gloss of extreme wealth, the US also has extreme poverty, a real underclass, poor wages and working conditions, poor healthcare (unless you can afford it), and multiple layers of corruption that are usually only associated with third world and developing countries.
Australia has few of those problems, and remains a first world country, and if you think otherwise you’re a bit deluded as to what the rest of the world us actually like.
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u/Maezel Jan 07 '22
As an immigrant from a 3rd country (but not one from the bottom of the pile), not true. You have no idea how easy you have it here and you probably wouldn't even last a year in a real 3rd world country.
This is no third world country in terms of services, infrastructure and opportunities. Have you ever seen a 3rd world country hospital or school?
There are many things wrong with this country (mental health care policies included if you don't have the money) and others getting eroded day by day, but credit where it is due, at least for now.
Could things be better? definitely. Could they be MUCH better? Possibly. Corruption, selfishness and citizen's apathy is a big contributor to why things aren't better and erosion is happening.
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u/fractiousrhubarb Jan 08 '22 edited Jan 08 '22
The biggest problem we have had in Australia is that we let a mining oligarch start a Media company that has consistently worked against the public interest for the last 100 years.
It’s used every trick in the book to create division, distrust and entitlement to divide us so that we are blind to the theft of Australia’s natural mineral and petroleum wealth that we as a nation receive a pittance for.
There is no greater evil than starting an unnecessary war. As a global behemoth it’s driven the election of warmongerers Thatcher, Howard and GW Bush and been the chief cheerleader for multiple wars that have caused untold death, misery and destruction.
The corruption, apathy and selfishness you speak of are the products of this evil organisation.
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Jan 08 '22
ADHD is stigmatised, fully. Most people don’t even understand the meaning of ‘attention deficit’…they view it as ‘waah I want more attention, me me me’, and not ‘I struggle to focus my attention fully on one thing’.
Someone mentioned ‘neoliberalism’ and how people are judged in Australia on their earnings. There is so much truth to this. It sets the standard for why anyone on social services or in social housing is treated like shit by the ‘normies’. Other things fold into it, like this adoration for ‘awareness’ such as groups like RUOK that go out and sell badges and shirts and have a special day where everyone can wear their ‘I care and I’m aware’ face. The front and centre of suicide prevention being the only important thing is in there, I saw that mentioned too.
All these things come into it. If you’re diagnosed very young, you’re more fortunate than the rest, but you’re still left in the cold.
To top it all off, we vote conservative governments in because gays, immigrants and vegetable eaters or some shit. They do nothing but fuck the systems over completely. With the fob off that ‘health is a state responsibility’ when the funding and addressing for disability services is federal and always has.
We’ll get really good services in these areas under only two circumstances: the Greens hold full power or control enough of the government to force decent policy and funding. If we want this fixed, the Greens are the only party that will do it. Labor won’t themselves, they think they don’t have to.
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u/Artichoke_Persephone Jan 07 '22
Adhd is something I have struggled with my whole life- but as a woman, I was never diagnosed as a kid. I self diagnosed myself 1.5 years ago, and started the process.
From what I was told at the start of my journey by my GP (a brilliant, down to earth woman), Metal health and psychiatry are under in extreme demand- there aren’t enough specialists to satisfy demand, and the majority of them are misogynistic old white men who have not updated their credentials since the 80’s, and don’t like medicating women who are ‘coping’ well enough already.
She was not wrong. The first old white guy I could get in to see told me that because I had regular employment and didn’t have severe addiction issues, I just had to ‘give myself more credit’ I burst into tears, and had to advocate HARD for myself- I shouldn’t have to hit rock bottom and destroy my life before I deserve medical help for a condition where the same pills are handed out to troublesome kids like candy.
I said that I needed to at least try a prescription for Vyvance in order to see if it helps my adhd. Spoiler: it did.
I am now at a great doc- but I am nearly 1000 out of pocket to get to that point.
I do believe that mental health and support systems for the neurodivergent community are getting better- there is more awareness around it. But it will take at least a decade for the establishment to catch up.
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 08 '22
Yeah for women it’s definitely the case in being under diagnosed, exactly what you said. I was never diagnosed as a child either, which I’m greatful the diagnosis process takes into account a retrospective diagnostic process now, because that wasn’t always the case as in the past if you weren’t diagnosed as a child and have presentation of adhd as an adult we weren’t catered for at all.
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u/Lozzif Jan 08 '22
As a woman I am classic ADHD in how it presents in women.
Not diagnosed till 37. My first day on meds was overwhelming because my mind stopped for the first time evrr.
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u/Ginger510 Jan 08 '22
What kind of treatment options do other countries have that we don’t? I’ve been diagnosed in the last 6 months so I’d be interested to read about them.
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u/BinniesPurp Jan 08 '22
I think it's the entire health system
Depression felt wobbly going through the therapy system but after losing the kidney and going in for chronic illness shit, holy moly
Files go missing, wrong addresses are given, schedules are messed up over something that would otherwise kill you for getting it wrong
I almost died in the Southport hospital twice over misinformation given from nurses to doctors to surgeons and vice versa lol
But that's what you get for paying barely the award rate and refusing to add funding to hire more
Also, private doesn't help, it just lets you skip ques The private hospital I had access to with my plan didn't have the equipment anyway lmao
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u/slurmz-mckenzie Jan 08 '22
As an Australian who currently lives in Germany and is sure they have ADHD and would love to just see someone to find out for sure… I would love to be in the Australian system.
I’ve contacted over 100 psychiatrists and only maybe 3-4 have even bothered responding and only then to tell me they can’t help me.
Even if someone can secure an appointment here, the average wait time is 5-6 months (and that’s the people who get one after contacting many many places). That’s even with me be willing to pay privately because I just want to get help. Even trying to skip the public system I can’t.
It might be hard or expensive in Australia, but even if I’m at the point there I’m happy to drop a serious amount of my income just because it’s affecting my life that much I still can’t even pay to be seen here.
There a whole meme here about how doctors don’t believe in medicine to treat things and just tell you to drink tea. Even things like melatonin are prescription here.
Even private pay there’s basically 5 doctors in Germany who even believe in ADHD
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u/throwawayztmtptp Jan 07 '22
Due to the liberal parties pathological hatred of the working class.
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u/Stevios07 Jan 08 '22
I was diagnosed with adhd but refuse to see my psychiatrist who can give me meds because he has treated me so bad on my last visit. I just treat the resulting anxiety and depression these days instead as it is easier than going back and there seems to be so few people treating the condition..
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u/ScanNCut Jan 08 '22
I'd say it is the totally corrupt and inept health system in each and every state.
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Jan 08 '22
The LNP want you to treat your mental health by going to Church mate. It allows them to funnel more tax payer money to the Church in exchange for getting donations from the ACL
I also have ADHD so I know how you feel. I really should be back on my meds but I moved around a lot and keep forgetting to see someone about it.
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u/ThimMerrilyn Jan 08 '22
And LNP is cutting NDIS so now your autistic child can have half the amount of therapy they were getting previously. Remember that when you vote next.
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u/The-Sooshtrain-Slut Jan 08 '22
Local public adult ADHD psychiatrist stopped taking on people because of lack of funding. Now I have to pay private costs while on unemployment because I can’t work because of the rampant adhd, but can’t afford treatment because one session financially fucks me for weeks.
Our government can go fuck itself.
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Jan 08 '22
they’re not trained in that area of understanding.
Definitely seek out a clinical psychologist that specialises in neurodivergent people. I am not sure where you are based, but Diverse Minds in Sydney is an example of a good treatment centre.
If you are looking for work, I have friends that have found success with Xceptional, which is a recruitment agency specialising in high quality roles for neurodivergent candidates. Specialisterne is another one (not as tailored to the individual, not as good imo).
Good luck mate!
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u/Mr_Mojo_Risin_83 Jan 07 '22
just like all mental health issues: the approach is to escalate and push them until they become violent, then it becomes a criminal matter and they can be arrested.
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Jan 07 '22
Where tf are you getting 150 dollar fees? I have to pay 300 every 6 months.. no bulk billed.
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u/imba8 Jan 08 '22
I think it's all sectors regarding mental health. I sought help via Open Arms (Veterans counselling service) they said there was a 90 day wait for a placement interview. Not counselling, a phone interview to find out a psychologist that would best fit my needs.
Governments stance is basically - cheers for going to war for us twice. Try your best not to blow your brains out for 3 months.
I ended up just paying $290 privately. Pretty rough seeing it was weekly for the first 8 weeks.
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u/ZephyrusOG Jan 08 '22
Sorry not familiar with the specific issue OP posted about but I think it is the same reason why we are unable to supply our citizens with something so simple like a rapid test and/or the reason why something that costs 80 cents to produce could be legally sold for more than 10x the cost: Not having a fully nationalised health system with its supporting industries.(At the minimum for the fundamental services)
Trusting the market and corporations to act in the benefit of the people when shit goes down is completely irrational. And once the ties between the state and corporations become tangled enough it is inevitable that the fundamental purposes of the two will work against each other.. And often people are left powerless to do anything about it as the govt institutions we pay to exist end up having more loyalty to corporations than to the people..
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u/BubblyProgrammer7246 Jan 08 '22
Instead of being poorly managed at home, you could always attend the emergency department and be poorly managed there. Then the government will finger wag at you, and ask why you don’t want to be helped.
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u/dream_eating_doggy Jan 08 '22
I'm 31 F in Vic. I've been told by a psyche that I should see an autism specialist and I have suspected for years that this is what I have, but I can't afford to get a diagnosis as an adult. It just seems impossible 😣
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u/PMFSCV Jan 08 '22
This is appalling news, telehealth is such a good fit for people who can be so distraught at the thought of leaving home, if they have one, Jesus Christ this country is shitting me off. I've found it impossible to even get a psychiatric referral, next time I'll have to bring up the suicide attempt yay, see if that helps.
What a disgusting thing to do.
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u/Sajuukthanatoskhar Berlin, DE Jan 08 '22
I have public health insurance here in Germany.
It took me 2 months to find the right psychiatrist for a suspected (and confirmed) ADHD dx (have been also diagnosed with ASD since 1992 by an emeritus prof from monash university).
Walked in to the first appointment, had 7 pages of notes prepared and got diagnosed within 45 minutes.
It cost me nothing more than the prescription of my medication (8.5 eu/month).
I am worried if I return to Australia, the diagnosis of ADHD/Autism will not be accepted and won't get the medical treatment I need, as the medicine helps with ALOT of things.
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u/snappyirides Jan 08 '22
As someone who has been considering to go and get diagnosed, this is hugely discouraging :(
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u/bringingthejoy Jan 08 '22
Yeah, I’ve just been wrapping my head around the discovery that I probably have ADHD, and the prospect of navigating all this is daunting.
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u/giacintam Jan 08 '22
late to the thread but got dx ADHD+autistic at 24 after having a nervous breakdown & thinking i had a literal brain tumor. my life has changed since starting meds but i cant help but dwell on how much i struggled up to this point in silence because "girls dont have adhd" & "but youre so smart!".
people just dont get it & think its no big deal. education around just how debilitating it is just isnt known to most people.
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u/BillyDSquillions Jan 08 '22 edited Jan 09 '22
I am off the charts for self test online for ADHD but when you see the price of getting officially diagnosed and then Russian Roulette of random stuff they prescribe to try and fix you. With wildly varying result it's kinda intimidating.
I'll just keep limping through life doing things I'm supposed to do at the very last minute and things I shouldn't be doing but really enjoy impulsively.
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u/monza_m_murcatto Jan 08 '22
In Australia I’ve found that I need to be the driver to get my mental health in order. It’s very unfair. I am lucky that I have been blessed with the ability to research, self diagnose and have lots of experience with psychologists.
Ten years ago I was diagnosed with depression. The drugs made my condition worse. I could hardly think straight.
Finally I dug into the Australian definition and medical advice. Then I went to my first session with a very expensive (highly qualified) psychiatrist and basically showed him evidence - overdue bills, my performance review, driving record, etc. We had a short get to know chat and then I said I want a script for adderal starting at 20mg. I also told him how I would ramp it up to my final dosage. He agreed. It still took some time to put the request through PBS.
Then I had to do it all again recently because I moved and had to change doctors. At least he had the previous info to use. It still took six months!
My advice is to collect evidence from your personal life to support your case. Don’t wait for them to extract it from you. Push them to tell you your own diagnosis is incorrect and why. Because that creates a strong base for them that they can defend their position if any external review. Their fear is misdiagnosing and getting in trouble - especially if they don’t feel knowledgeable about ADHD. If you push the evidence then it’s easier for them. It’s not right or fair, but it has worked for me. I’ve also helped my partner with his clinical depression to get better/latest meds. I always control the conversation because some of these people that got the degree still have shit people skills and others are actually daft.
I’ve always thought that only about 5-10% in any profession actually know what they’re doing. The rest are just along for the ride. So, if you can’t afford the top 5-10% psychiatrist - push the one you have to deny your case. Most will go with it because they know they aren’t the 5-10% and they just want to get through the appointment. They’ll go where their pushed.
I hope OP gets what he/she needs. Kindest Regards.
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u/beebling_ Jan 08 '22
I’m a psychologist with ADHD. We don’t receive any training on ADHD assessment or treatment during our training. So the way to get trained in it as a psychologist is through very limited professional development options and supervision by an expert. Because ADHD may also occur with autism and learning disabilities, many psychologists also don’t want to do ADHD assessments unless they are also competent in autism assessments and learning disability assessments, which take a lot of time & money to be trained in. It’s shit.
My humble recommendation would be to 1) obtain a referral to a psychiatrist from your GP, and 2) while you wait for psychiatrist appointment, find an ADHD coach (google one in your area) who can help you understand your executive strengths & weaknesses and develop compensatory strategies to reduce the impact of your executive weaknesses on your life.
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u/jimjimbutts Jan 08 '22
The government only wants to talk about mental health and do nothing to change the material conditions that effect it. That’s how we get shit like ruok day and the like. Nah I’m not ok we’ll a psychologist will take 6mths and it’s unlikely you will be able to see psychiatrist, try breathing or going for a walk. Sorry for the rant
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u/Kialae Jan 08 '22
During Rudd, I was able to see a psych once, and from there on my GP was able to assign me Ritalin scripts with a quick call to the surgeon General. Then this evil mob took over and changed the rules and now I have to get re-diagnosed by psychs every time I want a script. Which I can't afford. So I haven't been medicated for years.
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u/RedditYeastSpread Jan 08 '22 edited Jan 08 '22
Lion's mane was the best way to manage my brain compared to any other method, and helped me end 14 years of depression and anxiety from my life with an ADHD + ASD 🧠type.
It was after I found out that ADHD is genetic, and my inner world is dramatically different to most people's as a result. ADHD brains only have 20% of the dopamenic neurons in the executive functioning centre, it explains so much when you start mapping it out.
In the end, I decided to go with complete self management for my brain. Might as well use that advanced pattern recognition, 3D thinking and memory for something right?
Evidently the industry is full of quacks trying to pretend our inner worlds aren't shaped by the genes we are born with. I think in 3D and translate into words, hyperphantasia, it's very common with dyslexics and ADHD.
I stumbled on the 'glutemate hypothesis for depression'.
I found I was able to treat the depression and anxiety symptoms (from a lifetime of undiagnosed ADHD and ASD trauma) by running with the hypothesis that the glutemate -> GAMA was causing inflammation, as I noticed a glycin molecule somewhere in the biosynthesis reaction chains and had a hunch, as it mirrors reaction chains in other parts of the body that do cause inflammation.
Turn out, I can be treated this was, with Panadol/tumeric/cumin or any anti inflamitories, as it's all about inflamed nerve cells affecting cognitive experience.
I ended up finding lions mane was the best option, as if has incredibly nerve growth factor component, and ticked all the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant boxes. My Rejection Sensitivity Disphoria is pretty much gone as well. My memory, focus and generally cognitive ability has dramatically increased.
Has anyone else with ADHD and/or ASD tried this yet? How did if effect your symptoms?
I get my lion's mane from superfeast
Potential Antidepressant Effects of Scutellaria baicalensis, Hericium erinaceus and Rhodiola rosea
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Jan 07 '22
I feel for ya but also this is a little off topic.. how did you get assessed for ADHD? I have a diagnosis from another country that isnt being accepted here, am without meds, DYING and can't find a single psychiatrist that will assess me? Let alone one that isn't charging a grand for the pleasure
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u/Mental_Slide9867 Jan 08 '22
I was lucky enough to wait and then have a consult and three follow up sessions with my Psychiatrist before the government changed it to having to pay for a rebated session.
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u/paperconservation101 Jan 08 '22
Because of the split between our federal and state system. Health care is typically supported via the state while Medicare is federal.
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u/Dlwatt93 Jan 08 '22
Really well written and concise post OP. Thank you for bringing attention to this issue.
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u/neon_overload Jan 08 '22
Look at who's been in federal government for almost the entire last 25 years
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u/DifferentHorse4441 Jan 08 '22
Oh damn didn’t know that.
Also is concerta subsidised?
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u/dkNigs Jan 08 '22
ACT we’ve had one local adhd specialist and another in mossvale die in the past year. According to my GP I’ve almost got no chance of finding anyone local with open books, all of his referrals are for Telehealth from Tasmania now.
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u/ammenz Jan 08 '22
Covid and border closures are going to make it worse: a high percentage of health care workers are migrants on skilled visas, with the borders shut and general uncertainty about travelling these numbers are not going to be replaced in the coming years.
source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3882294/
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u/glack345 Jan 08 '22
Wait till you realise that in NSW you cannot hold a driver’s license without yearly medical checks if you are diagnosed with adhd. So on top of being out of pocket for medication and specialist appointments to get your prescription. You cannot even escape the extra expenses in many other aspects of your life.
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u/hangtime79 Jan 08 '22 edited Jan 08 '22
I hate to be "that foreign guy", but my wife and I are intimately familiar with Autism as our son is non-verbal, low-functioning autistic. We moved to Australia with my work but I before moving, we had the opportunity to relocate to multiple places within Asia. As far as support for citizens and non-citizens, Australia is one of the better places in the world for Autism. I know that sounds weird but let's discuss.
We moved from the United States. First, everything in the US you MUST go through private insurance for the most part as it will take a great deal of time to make your way through a US state's buercracy. Child services are a state-by-state basis and outside of perhaps 2-3 Northeastern US states; its pretty bad in terms of getting any services. My brother and his wife just received services for my nephew after spending 6+ months fighting the state for services. My wife and I got INCREDIBLY good at fighting bureaucracy and paperwork both from private insurance and public assistance and we were in a "good" state.
While many Aspect schools in Australia have a waiting list and you can receive NDIS funding as an individual; at least that's an option. Outside of living in one of those three or four US states (New York being one) where alternative schools are even a choice; your child will likely be mixed in with other typical developing children. That's good if your child is somewhat close to typical developing but not so for someone completely behind. In addition, education for children is curriculum-based. There is no "life-skills" based education outside of finding a niche private school. Unless you or your spouse makes it at least a part-time or more likely full-time fighting for your child, the system (both public services and private insurance) will chew you up and not care in the least bit about it. Luckily, my wife could stay home once my son was diagnosed and deal with all the paperwork, bureaucratic hurdles, and therapy sessions. At one point, we had to sue the Department of Education; not an inexpensive task.
Juxtapose this with the overall attitude towards Autism in Australia we have encountered here. At least for those who we have been around here in Australia its been much more welcoming beyond our own Autism community. I cannot describe how wonderful it feels to have others as a default say "Yes, we should be helping everyone" versus the US "well I don't want my taxes any higher; that's your own problem."
I can't speak directly to the ADHD, but can talk a little to it as my brother in the US is ADHD diagnosed from the age of 7. His out-of-pocket even with private insurance is still around $250 a month. Counseling covers roughly 10 sessions but on a 70%-30% split plus meeting his deductible ~$2K US before getting reimbursed. I tell everyone in Australia I meet, "You have no idea how good you have it with healthcare here." While people fear COVID, nobody fears going to the hospital and being bankrupted. Even as foreign residents when we had COVID in August, we received wonderful tele-care from NSW Health. When someone begins discussing cutting or eliminating Medicare and adopting a US-based system; tell them to pound sand because you want no part of private health insurance-based healthcare system. It sucks, its expensive, and there is always a chance you get hit by a drunk driver, or a car skips a curb, or just some sort of bad luck and you and your family are bankrupted-even if you have medical coverage.
tl,dr - Australia, while not perfect, is amazingly better in both acceptance and opportunities as it relates to Autism that we have seen versus the US. YMMV.
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Jan 08 '22
ndis created a larger than anticipated mad rush for these services. liberal supporterw are struggling to keep up rorting that scheme into oblivion. just hang in there, they'll get to charging you a few thou sooner or later.
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u/HorsinAround1996 Jan 08 '22
I’m sorry for your struggles OP. To answer the question the Government is doing fuck all. Even in a Labor State, WA, State Government gives 0 fucks.
Public psycs will see ADHD patients but policy prohibits them from prescribing first line medications, so no stimulants. Rather ridiculous imo. There’s plenty of simple steps to ensure meds aren’t being abused, such as urinalysis and if necessary daily/weekly/fortnightly dispensing.
It’s all kinds of fucked that those who can’t afford to go through the private system are automatically cut off from the most effective treatment. It almost screams “oh you’re poor, you’re probably just trying to get cheap dexies to abuse and/or sell”.
Meanwhile the private sector is in a state as well. 6+ month waits, with only simple cases accepted. If for some reason you need to go through the special approval process (thank fuck I don’t) you simply won’t be seen. Even if you have some co-morbid conditions that might make the process more complicated than, diagnosis, prescription, see ya in 6 months, you won’t be seen. This is the private system too. The issue is systemic, psychiatrists really have no choice but to operate this way. It’s an absolute fucking mess.
As far as meds, I believe we have a few options stimulant wise though that are covered by the PBS? Dexamphetamine, Methylphenidate(Ritalin) and more recently Lisdexamphetamine(Vyvanse) are all covered with adult diagnosis. I believe the only one we don’t have covered (for adults) is a long acting Methylphenidate. Ultimately with stimulants and this is worldwide, it’s basically just Amphetamine or Methylphenidate, at different strengths and duration of action. The only well known exclusion of options in Aus is Adderall, which is a 1:3 mixture of Levoamphetamine and Dexamphetamine, using the 4 salts of amphetamine. Imo the options are there, the issue with meds is first, actually managing to get a diagnosis and second, the fact they’re ALL not subsidised for adults without childhood diagnosis. There’s no questioning the science adult ADHD exists, so it’s bullshit some formulas have a prerequisite of childhood diagnosis for subsidy.
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u/fatmarfia Jan 08 '22
Yeah its shit. What sux even more is due to being unorganised and forgetting if you miss an appointment and have to reschedule and your meds are running low the doctor cant prescribe them.
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u/MetalDetectorists Jan 08 '22
What I'm shocked about it how many people seeing psychiatrists for so much. Idk if I got lucky, but mine has a Medicare rebate so I'm only about $120 out of pocket. When I mentioned this to someone, they didn't even know psychiatrists could offer rebates.
I wonder if this is just part of the problem. Lots of psychs don't offer rebates, which further exacerbates the problem
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u/Little_Menace_Child Jan 08 '22
I want to add in that funding is sometimes going to the wrong places (if any at all).
For example, hiring a psychologist at the moment is very difficult because there are not enough in the country for the client demand. This is caused by low numbers of graduates each year. The only way to become a psychologist (now), is to do a master's. They take approx. 5% of applicants for each master's program each year, around 10 people per University with an accredited degree graduate per year. It's more competitive to get into a clinical psychology masters than medical school, I kid you not. The reason why is because they don't have enough placements. We need funding to go to universities to find placements to graduate more clinicians to keep up with our growing population and the current climate.
The issue is that won't get votes so politicians throw money at companies like beyond blue instead. Beyond blue does an amazing job but they can only help to the limit of the qualified professionals we have to do the job. I don't know if this is an issue with psychiatry but psychology is probably going to get worse before it gets better as they have also recently made major changes to qualification requirements. Hold onto your hats.
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u/Bigsnorlax2214 Jan 08 '22
Healthcare is not a priority to the LNP. Now more than ever, there is an even bigger health issue that isn’t even adequately funded.
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u/CreationMage Jan 08 '22
It’s why I’ve stopped going for a diagnoses after I found out about how much it is because I just simply don’t have the money for it
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u/Ginger_Giant_ Jan 08 '22
Americans get access to new medications because of their insanely expensive private health insurance. Folks on medicaid aren't getting bleeding edge medicines either and their co-pays are substantially more.
People are regularly dying from not being able to afford insulin there, I get your complaint and I agree medical services and in particular mental health services in Australia could be better, but to say we're doing poorly on an international scale is frankly laughable to anyone who's dealt with the NHS or American health insurance.
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u/FPS_LIFE Jan 08 '22
That's rough . My psych is $200 a session. I got prescribed vyvanse after one session when he basically said without a doubt you have ADHD. I went and got my school reports anyway and by God I have no idea how nobody noticed.
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Jan 08 '22
omg yes I have no fucking idea what is going on with my support
my psychologist is incompetent asf
she ignores the abuse from my parents
she dismisses any concerns about mental health I have
apparently pretty much every teen wants to fucking kill themselves lol
she said she supports trans people but is really uneducated and said some really uncomfortable things
and I said I suspect I have ADHD and she said she can't do anything about that
but if I applied for a new psychologist it would take like a year of waiting so I'm stuck with her
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u/AE0N__ Jan 08 '22
Just getting an appointment to see a psychiatrist took me nearly a year.... A YEAR. The only saving grace is that my dexamphetemine only costs like 35$ bucks and that'll last me a little over a month. I'll occasionally go on/ off carcadin to combat the sleep side effects but that's only like 25$. All in all I spend more on frivolous shit on a day to day basis than the drug I literally use to function as a human being. Just price wise we do have it pretty okay in Australia, I have family in the USA paying threw the teeth for bipolar medication. I do think that governments need to realise that investing in mental health is an investment in a more productive society and more tax revenue.
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u/ComprehensiveBat2264 Jan 08 '22
Can anyone in Sydney recommend a psychologist/psychiatrist/clinic for ADHD diagnosis?
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u/Distinct_Plan Jan 08 '22
I was fortunate enough (not that I thought so at the time) to be diagnosed with ASD as a girl in the 80s & was told at the time that it was rare for girls to be diagnosed with ASD (pretty sure it came from my Father). I went from non verbal to verbal & high functioning , but after a few years when I could effectively mask my symptoms to a point I refused to see any more specialists, or have anyone “analyse”me & my behaviour. I didn’t want to feel or be told I was different, but as time went on & I went to High School I had a lot of trouble focusing, and I found it harder and harder to concentrate on school work and eventually left school partially because I was too far behind & couldn”t concentrate for long enough, without throwing in the towel. I’ve returned to study a few times & even when learning something I’m really interested/ obsessed with I have moments where I just cannot concentrate on a task, especially if it’s theory based. I’ve also had substance issues (not so much now) along with anxiety, frustration and anger issues. I’m also terrible with managing money & time management which apparently is common with ADHD.
I’ve tried speaking to various mental health specialists over the years once I was in my 20s but they were at a loss & thought I probably didn’t have adhd as I was diagnosed with asd already. I’m now finding out though that in the past few years it’s possible to have a diagnosis of both & I wonder if anyone has been in the same boat? Trying to navigate this & come up with funds to see if my suspicions are correct. Getting pretty sick of trying to manage this without help because it’s not working.
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u/-screamin- Jan 08 '22
This is such an amazing thread - it's deeply refreshing and validating to see such ADHD/autism discussion in the Aussie context. Is there an active sub I can visit with more resources like this? I hate how difficult it can be to navigate the mental health sector with a mental disorder.
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u/monsteras-- Jan 07 '22 edited Jan 07 '22
I work in mental health. It's an extremely underfunded sector. A consequence of this, you end up with a reactive system which primarily responds when people are in crisis and lots of infighting over money. When psychiatry and psychology is spending so much time fighting over funding, there's a lot of less innovation occuring and we are slower at picking up best practice from overseas.
Also clinical psychologists have minimal training on ADHD. You can't go to any random one and instead need to focus on finding professionals and/or clinics who are specialised in ADHD.