Joyce
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
A psychiatrist diagnosed Joyce with schizophrenia when she was in her early 30s. Her marriage had just ended and her husband had left with their daughter.
‘I went in myself. My aunty took me in. I was psychotic … after the breakup, upset and everything. But that was the only time I have ever been psychotic.’
That was in the 1980s.
Joyce told the Royal Commission she believed the hospital psychiatrist had misdiagnosed her, because the hospital was at the time also treating her sister for schizophrenia.
‘He said, "Okay, family history, you've got schizophrenia because your sister is here."’
The psychiatrist prescribed medication and Joyce went back to work.
‘I worked for 20 years in the workforce. I worked in the public service. And I never sort of questioned it really. I thought, yeah, they're right, I'll take the medication.’
She was re-admitted to hospital twice ‘because when you go off the medication, sometimes you do end up in hospital.’
Joyce is now in her 70s. When the psychiatrist treating her died a year ago, she went to see her general practitioner.
‘He said to me, "What are your symptoms, [Joyce]?” I said, "I haven't got any symptoms because I don't have it".’
She decided again to stop taking her medication.
‘I have been off medication for 12 months doing fine, and nothing wrong with me and I always suspected that … I am telling the government, I have got no disability, I never have had, okay.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.