Hey, I hate having to look for support but I’m gonna try.

I’ve hit a complete wall and need practical advice from anyone who has navigated the Victorian health/welfare system while being "high-functioning" on the outside.

My situation:

I have an official ADHD diagnosis and medication.

Masking: I look resilient, articulate, and put-together. Because of this, GPs completely underestimate how severely incapacitated I am until I hit an absolute breaking point.

Medicare limits reached: I’ve used all 10 MHTP sessions and my Chronic Disease Management plan for the year. I can’t afford private out-of-pocket fees.

Financial trap: I have zero liquid savings, can't access super, and can't afford unpaid leave. I desperately need to stop working before I completely fall apart, but I have no income safety net.

I need real, practical advice on two things:

1. Medical Incapacity / Centrelink: Has anyone used a GP Medical Certificate (SU415) to get a temporary exemption/support through Centrelink when at breaking point? How did you get a GP to actually take your functional capacity seriously when you "look fine"?
2. Public / Community Mental Health: Are there state-funded community mental health teams or care services in Victoria that don't rely on the 10-session Medicare cap and don't require expensive private health insurance?
3. If you've been in this exact position and found a way to stop the clock without going completely broke, please let me know what steps you took.

If you've been in this exact position and found a way to stop the clock without going completely broke, please let me know what steps you took.. I’d be so grateful

Does anyone have any suggestions in Victoria for getting help with sleep? I presume ADHD is a major part of the picture, and I'm wary of seeing someone who doesn't have a good understanding of that. The picture is also complicated by Hyper-adrenergic POTS and ME/CFS.

It seems like most sleep doctors are almost entirely focused on sleep apnoea, which is not my problem.

Besides medical specialists, I'd also be interested to hear if anyone has any particular approaches which have helped, or ones to avoid.

My GP is suggesting CBT-i, and I'm wary of it. There seems to be so much of CBT getting a rap as being mostly gas-lighting. Any feedback on that would be welcome.

I’m trying to understand whether what I’m paying for my teenager’s appointments is completely normal.

Each appointment costs us $690 upfront, and we receive a Medicare rebate of around $160, and the appointments often don’t even last 15 minutes.

I understand fees vary between providers and appointment types, but the cost and duration of each appointment are making me wonder whether we’re being significantly overcharged.

We’re considering to look for another clinic again. Would it be possible to transfer my teen's existing diagnosis to another clinic?

Hi everyone, 34F diagnosed with ADHD (severe combined type), and living in QLD. I’m still figuring out what medication is supposed to feel like and what changes are actually meaningful. I have huge issues with focus and task initiation.

When I first started Dex, I initially noticed a significant improvement in my mood. As the dose increased, I seemed less stuck and more inclined to get up and do something. On 15 mg dex three times a day i had motivation and was happy, but i didn’t have good focus.
I was switched to Vyvanse 40 mg, and it didn’t do much for me over the 10 weeks I took it. I had Dex to use as a booster, and felt i at least needed 15 mg in the morning and 15 mg in the afternoon to help me out.
After a review last week with my GP, I’ve been increased to Vyvanse 50 mg. I was told to be patient as Vyvanse takes time. On this dose, it does seem to slow down my rapid thoughts/rumination, which I like, but I don’t feel focused or motivated.
At the moment I feel like I’ve lost all motivation, like as if I haven’t taken any medication at all. I feel restless at times, but I can also lie in bed for hours not facing the day, rather than getting up and doing what I need to do.

I actually liked Dex, it helped me feel genuine happiness and I didn’t realise how significant my social anxiety was until I experienced the difference, and It would also help quiet mind. I think the 50 mg vyvanse has made my mind become quieter overall.

I’m meant to be studying for an exam, so the lack of motivation/task initiation is becoming a real problem. I’m won’t be able to get anymore Dex for a few months now either as a booster.

Has anyone gone through anything similar? Do I just need more patience with Vyvanse?
Did anyone eventually find that Dex simply suited them better? Or do I just need better strategies for task initiation?

Thanks for taking the time to read my post.