Schizoaffective and employment

Hey @Bluelagoon ,

Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry to hear that you feel misunderstood and unheard. I can see that you want to return to work, but your psychiatrist does think you are well enough.

Are you able to ask for another opinion? I am guessing that unpaid leave can cause a lot of financial stress.

Did your psychiatrist mention why they think you are unwell? Is there something you can work on in order to change this?

You deserve to be heard and supported

@Bluelagoon, agreed with @tyme. You have the right to understand your mental health and how it is supposedly affecting you. I'd recommend asking your psychiatrist why they have come to that conclusion, with examples, if you haven't already. Maybe they see something you don't and can explain it to you.

I've sort of had the opposite experience where I will tell psychologists I feel depressed and they will state that the K10 says I'm fine in that dimension... So... eh. It's a bit weird how these things "work".

Hi @Bluelagoon 

If your psychiatrist anticipates at least 6 weeks. You can claim a centrelink payment for your sick weeks. I forget the current name, it used to be called sickness allowance. But s now job seeker-incapacitated or something

That you are motivated to work is good, @WretchedKid so many benefits flow from workm not just money, but a sense of meaning and networking etc etc....

I am sorry your pdoc is concerned you are not up for it.  As the others have suggested, getting another opinion may be worth it, and understanding your pdoc's reasons.  

I have known people with schizophrenia go back to work long term. There are so many variations from person to person within any of the diagnoses.  It is good to research yourself, to maximise your own sense of insight.

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