Hi all

I’m after anyone who has experienced claiming a TPD for a psychiatric injury.

I’ve been off work almost 12 months and now on Workcover after having appealed my claim due to it being rejected the first time even though IME report proved work was the significant cause.

I did claim income protection for a few months at first until my appeal had gone through and was approved in my favour after 6 months.

I’m seeing my psyc fortnightly and GP and on medication. I suffer severe depression and anxiety from what had happened to me by my employer. My mood is severely low and think about suicide most days. I’ve denied this to my GP and psyc as I’m scared they will admit me and tell my family.

I’m 40 years old and I can barley leave the house on my own. My TPD is worth over $700k. I did email my super case manager a few months ago about TPD process and they emailed me back a fact sheet etc.

I know at this stage I’m in no position to return to any employment and Workcover ends end of 2021.

Had anyone else gone through something similar?

Everyday is a struggle and I can’t get over what my ex employer did. I was a highly successful earning big $$$ and this has totally destroyed me and my confidence. My career was ripped from me.

Hi Lost81,

Welcome to our friendly online community. We're so sorry to hear that you've been suffering after what has occurred in the workplace. It sounds like you've had a really turbulant time and have had a lot of big changes in your life. Please know that this community is a safe space to share your thoughts and feelings. We hope that this is of some comfort to you throughout all of these changes you are experiencing.

We're so sorry that you think about suicide most days. It's good that you're accessing treatment and support - we hope that you are finding this helpful. If you have overwhelming moments where you need to speak with someone outside of your appointments, we'd welcome you to get in touch with our friends at Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467).

Our community can't offer legal advice, but if anyone has gone through a similar experience they can relate and share their own experience.

We're so glad you reached out here tonight. Hopefully some of our community members will be by to welcome you to our community over the next few days.

DearLost81~

I'd like to join Sophie_M in welcoming you here to the Forum.

You asked about others , well I was declared TPI (the old-fashioned name for TPD) after being invalided out of my occupation many years ago at around your age. They admitted liability, so I ended up at home. Like you on meds, seeing a psychiatrist fortnightly, feeling seemingly useless and suicidal to go with my other mental conditions. They consisted of depression and anxiety, plus also PTSD.

I don't know which was worse in the long run, losing my occupation, identity and purpose, or being told I'd never work again.

I do know , that like you , I had confined my description of my mental health condition to everything else, but never mentioned my suicidality, or even a couple of attempts to take my life that were stopped by circumstances.

That silence was in fact the second of my mistakes in this whole sad affair . The fist being hanging on at work far too long before seeking any help at all, thus making my conditon become more serious and hard to treat. The second being too frightened and embarrassed to talk about my suicidal expereices.

It all came to a head one day alone at home and I did in fact tell my partner on her return from work. I was then amazed at how much that helped, a weight I'd not realized I had was lifted, at least in part.

From then on I was treated appropriately for all my conditions and improved, over time I improved a lot.

I also found, after a year or so that I could study and then take up a voluntary occupation. This gave me back use, self respect and purpose, as well as stopping me from being isolated.

I'm a different person today, and considering the mess I was, think many people, yourself included, can find a life where symptoms are under control. I work using skills that reinforce my perception of myself.

Dunno if that helps, but at least you may gain a bit of hope

Croix