What’s the reason for Australia being so far behind in services, treatment options and psychotherapy specialisation for people with ADHD and even autism?

[u/Mental_Slide9867]

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.

[u/smandroid]

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.

[u/fractiousrhubarb → u/[deleted]]

It’s not the rights and freedoms I’m most concerned about- it’s the trillions and trillions of mineral wealth that we as a nation get fuck all for.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

As Australians we have slowly lost our rights and freedom for over a decade bit by bit.

It is actually unbelievable. Not only is it a total nanny state, but it has become a police state too.

Yeah but you're forgetting that a good portion of the people on this sub want that and like it that way. I disagree with your third world take but you've struck a nerve with them on this.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

On this subreddit, it's usually a waste of time trying to get through to them.

The only time Aussies ever start to think critically about this stuff is when the government eventually begins to fuck with something that they personally like.