Hi there everybody. This is honestly my first time posting publicly on anything like this and I don't know what kind of response I'm looking for but any advice or success stories would be helpful I suppose. I'm trying to apply for Disability Pension through Centrelink as I am unable to work. The last job I had I managed to last 3 weeks before I ended up having one of the biggest mental breakdowns I've ever had due to stress. My hair was falling out and I had a panic attack leading to an ambulance coming to tend to me. I'm really worried even with all my history, dating back to the age of 9 and I am now 24, I will be denied my claim and forced to look for work which will potentially put me back into a suicidal and vulnerable state. I've been diagnosed by 2 psychologists and a GP with severe depression, severe anxiety, PTSD, borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. I also developed agoraphobia at one stage and couldn't leave the house without having a panic attack for about 3 months. This to this day still comes and goes. I've been having to hand in Centrelink Medical Certificates for the past 2 years to avoid being forced to find work and the last time I handed one in was told by 2 of the staff members that I should be on disability because it was clear my condition was permanent and not getting any better, which it is. I don't know how they can expect one day you'll wake up fine like nothing ever happened, it doesn't make sense. I don't mean to ramble either sorry, I was just ultimately wondering what anybody thought the chances of me getting disability were and if anybody has had any luck. I know it's an incredibly long process and that the likelihood is slim, but I honestly can't work and don't want to be forced to, having to try and defend my mental health every step of the way. If anybody can offer any advice that would be appreciated thank-you.

Hi welcome

This is a tricky question to answer.

prior to 2013 it was easier to get the disability pension as I did with bipolar in 2013. Then they made it much harder.

Also other factors are taken into account eg I was then 57yo. Giving a person a pension at 57 is much different to someone 24yo, the financial burden for society for decades is considered less desirable.

Your own psychiatrists reports will not hold a lot of weight, Centrelink will make their own assessments.

All you can do is try.

TonyWK

I've just joined this forum so have only just seen your post. As white knight said above your age is going to go against you when trying to get DSP. You'll have to jump through hoops but the good news is you don't have to do it alone. When you apply for DSP you'll see one of their clinical psychologists. They'll tell you nothing is wrong with you, despite all the evidence you have. It seems to be pretty standard routine. Your claim will get denied, maybe several times. For me it was four times, appealing each time. However, on the back of the denial letter is the number for a Disability Advocate. Their job is to get you DSP and they're free. Just having my Advocate at the last appeal made all the difference. You can contact them first (just google Disability Advocate in your area) and they'll help you with the whole application process.
Had I known what a difference they'd make I would've contacted them first up.

Great advice given Lena J

TonyWK