Dear Alone in Perth~
I'd like to welcome you here to the Support Forum. It's called that as it can be a great support, particularly if you come across someone else with the same experiences. As just about everyone here has suffered hard times they will be caring and realise at leat in part your needs.
Your family sounds a mess, wiht separation, drugs and that estrangement. It is enough to make any person sad and emotional. On top of that is your isolation. No one to give you support, company and understanding, we all need that.
Perhaps the worst thing of the lot in the injury and harm done to you in care, something you have had to relive more recently. Sadly the fact it was years ago does not always make a difference.
I would suggest you see a psychiatrist who specializes in childhood abuse, however with psychologists you are saying
"but found it difficult to get
beyond the language and cultural divide"
Do you mind if I ask about that? Perhaps I'm wrong but to me it reads like you are from elswhere, a First Australian or a person from another land? My apologies if I've got it wrong.
If I'm not wrong then that might account for your isolation. Is there
anyone in the place of your origin you could contact, or other others
from the same land in Perth you could go see. Many have their own
organizations.
As for medications, no it is not an easy path, and it took me a very long time to find one that worked but had no side effects. I got there eventually and my life is better for it.
You are not quite alone now, we are here and will care and talk with you, the only downside being responses can be slow -it is just the way it works
Croix