I applied to the NDIS in 2020 and it was knocked back because "I had not exhausted every treatment option". This is because my submission contained a psychiatric report that said DBT would be helpful and I had not tried it.
So in 2021 I went back to my GP and pyschologist to try again. They were not very willing. My psychologist was very negative about my chances of getting NDIS funding saying "even people with schizophrenia get knocked back". She was very unwilling to get involved in the application process. But I insisted and persisted and the GP and pscyhologist finally relented.
In fact, the second application was done by the nurse at the medical practice.Thank you whoever you are. You did a fantastic job and really took the time to fill out the 30 page application (which took like 1 and half hours).
What was key in getting my second application through - apart from the help from the nurse - was that I got the GP to write a letter saying "this patient has tried DBT since his last application and it was not helpful".
So the second application was approved by the NDIA and I got $30,000!!
This funding has opened the door to accessing long-term psychological treatment with schema therapy (which takes 2 to 3 years minimum) with once or twice weekly sessions at a cost of $180 per session (that is $10,000 to $20,000 a year alone). It also pays for a support worker to come around and take me out for coffee or whatever. (another $10,000 a year)
If you have a serious PD - like I can't work or make friends or anything and I'm on the DSP - then you stand a good chance to get NDIS. You just have to have a psychiatrist or GP say you show you have exhausted every treatment option and are still experiencing serious disability. Every treatment option means having done DBT because psychiatrists all believe DBT will help BPD patients.
In fact, the evidence is very inconsistent. From reading the clinical trials, DBT probably only helps like 30% of patients and to a limited degree. Benefits are often not permanent. SI and self harm might still continue, moods still fluctuate like crazy, sensitivity to criticism persists etc etc.
Basically, DBT does not change your personality/identity, it does not change your distorted core beliefs and pathological identifications. Most BPD patients remain damaged psychological children in adult bodies even with DBT training and skills.
I'm told schema therapy tries to go deep, tries to get to the core of the BPD patients troubling identifications. In my view, schema therapy is the only form of identity therapy that is currently available in Australia. And by its very nature, identity therapy is going to take many years to heal the damaged personality that is the source of most of our self-generated pain and suffering.
I am starting schema therapy in a couple of weeks by telehealth (which is not ideal). This is because none of the psychologists trained in schema therapy where I live are taking new patients and I am on a waitlist to see one of them. In the meantime will start schema therapy by telehealth and get the process going.
Best wishes
SJ
