Jade
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.
When Jade was 14 and struggling with depression, she told her family doctor she might have bipolar affective disorder.
‘When manic, I can become an almost completely different person. I jeopardise my interpersonal relationships through my impaired judgement and risky behaviours. When in depressive episodes, I can barely get out of bed.’
Jade was also aware that bipolar disorder could be inherited.
‘I knew of at least five closely related family members who had been previously diagnosed with bipolar.’
Her doctor didn’t agree with her diagnosis.
‘I was shrugged off and my opinion was completely disregarded.’
Jade told the Royal Commission it was three years before another doctor diagnosed bipolar affective disorder. During that time, her schoolwork suffered and she attempted several times to kill herself.
‘I struggled for many years due to the incompetence of the people who were supposed to care for me. There is a high potential that I could have ended up dead because of it.’
Her new doctor referred her to a psychiatrist and psychologist at the state government’s child mental health service.
‘I owe the success I have, such as completing TAFE and furthering my studies at university (recently graduating from my degree with a distinction average), largely to the support I gained from them. I feel that the [child mental health service] is an amazing service which, if given more funding, would be able to assist many more young people in the way they helped me.’
Jade said it had taken too long to be diagnosed and treated.
‘I hope that the availability of mental health care in Australia improves with time, as the mental health of our nation is worsening.’
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.