General Enquiries
NDIS Psychosocial Disability Supports
What is Psychosocial Disability?
Psychosocial Disability (PSD) refers to the social consequences of disability and the impact of mental illness on a person's life. Individuals affected by PSD may find it challenging to set goals, make plans, and engage in education, training, employment and other social and cultural activities.
While psychosocial factors influence most types of mental illness to some degree, certain conditions involve significant long-term psychosocial impacts.
At Recovery Alliance Care, we recognise the complex nature and profound impact these conditions have on participants and their families. Our approach is centred on providing compassionate, personalised support tailored to address the unique challenges associated with these conditions. We focus on assisting with daily activities, personal care needs, and enhancing community and social participation.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterised by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self, and behaviour. It often involves psychotic experiences such as hallucinations and delusions.
Signs of Schizophrenia
Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganised thinking
Disorganised or abnormal motor behaviour
Impaired functioning
Cognitive symptoms
How We Can Help
- Improved quality of life by receiving appropriate care and support.
- Support with daily living and skill development to promote self-sufficiency.
- Coordinate support networks to ensure participants receive the necessary medical and psychological care.
- Assistance with community access to reduce isolation.
Schizoaffective Disorders
Schizoaffective disorder is a complex and chronic mental health condition that is characterised by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms or mood disorder symptoms. It is often misdiagnosed due to its overlapping features with other mental health disorders, making proper diagnosis and treatment critical.
There are two primary types of schizoaffective disorder:
Bipolar Type
This type includes episodes of mania and, in some cases, major depression.
Depressive Type
This type includes only major depressive episodes.
Symptoms
The symptoms of schizoaffective disorder can be divided into two main categories:
Symptoms of Psychosis
Hallucinations
Delusions
Disorganised thinking
Impaired functioning
Symptoms of Mania
Persistent feelings of sadness
Worthlessness
Lack of interest in activities
Elevated mood
Increased energy
Reduced need for sleep
Risky behaviour
How We Support You
Our experienced support team is dedicated to helping individuals with schizoaffective disorder navigate their mental health journey and achieve their personal goals. We provide personalised care to improve their quality of life and promote recovery in a supportive environment.
Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterised by long-term patterns of behaviour, cognition, and inner experience that deviate significantly from the expectations of an individual's culture. These patterns develop early, are inflexible, and are associated with significant distress or impairment.
Types of Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are categorised into three clusters based on similar characteristics and symptoms.
Cluster A (Odd, Eccentric Behaviour)
Paranoid Personality Disorder
- Distrust and suspicion of others.
- A belief that others are deceiving or harming them
Schizoid Personality Disorder
- Detachment from social relationships
- Limited range of emotional expression
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
- Acute discomfort in close relationships
- Cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities in behaviour
Cluster B (Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic Behaviour)
Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Disregard for and violation of the rights of others
- Deceitfulness, impulsivity, and irritability
Borderline Personality Disorder
- Instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects
- Marked impulsivity
Histrionic Personality Disorder
- Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking
- Inappropriate seductive behaviour
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy
- Arrogant or haughty behaviours
Cluster C (Anxious, Fearful Behaviour)
Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation
Dependent Personality Disorder
- Excessive needs to be taken care of, leading to submissive, clinging behaviour and fear of separation
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
- Preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency.
What We Offer
Recovery Alliance Care offers comprehensive services tailored to individuals dealing with personality disorders and other mental health conditions. Our dedicated team is committed to empowering clients, ensuring they receive the personalised care and support they need to navigate daily challenges and enhance their overall well-being.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders encompass a range of mental health conditions that involve excessive fear, worry, and changes in behaviour.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
It is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. People with PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they are not in danger.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is characterised by repetitive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and irrational, excessive urges to do certain actions (compulsions). These behaviours can interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.
Agoraphobia
It is the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult, or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong. Agoraphobia can lead to avoidance of various places and situations, often confining individuals to their homes.
Physical Reactions of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can manifest in various physical reactions due to the body's response to stress and anxiety.
- Irregular heartbeat or palpitations.
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive sweating
- Cold sweats
- Uncontrollable shaking or trembling
- Muscle Tension
- Muscle pain or soreness
- Frequent tension headaches or migraines
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea or upset stomach
- Sensation similar to a heart attack
- Feeling exhausted
- Insomnia
- Numbness or tingling
- Dryness in the mouth or throat
- Cold or hot flashes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Blurred vision
We Provide You With the Support You Need
Living with anxiety disorders can be very challenging. The constant state of anxiety can lead to difficulties in concentrating, performing daily tasks, and maintaining social connections. It can also result in exhaustion and poor mental health. However, achieving a better quality of life is possible with proper support.
The experienced team at Recovery Alliance Care provides support to empower individuals to gain greater control and independence. Through tailored in-home support and social participation, we aim to help participants rebuild confidence, enhance daily functioning, and foster participation in community activities.
Mood Disorders
Mood disorder is a mental health conditions that primarily affect a person's emotional state. It involves disturbances in mood that are intense and persistent, impacting daily functioning.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder is a complex mental health condition characterised by extreme mood swings, including manic and depressive episodes.
Depressive episodes of Bipolar Disorder
Deep sadness
Hopelessness
Guilt and worthlessness
Loss of interest or pleasure
Manic episodes
Increased energy
Irritability
Impulsive behaviour
Euphoric mood
Depression
Depression is a prevalent mood disorder marked by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can affect one's emotional and physical well-being, leading to fatigue, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. Depression can range from mild to severe, and it often requires professional intervention to manage effectively.
Our Approach
People who are living with bipolar disorder and depression often find themselves struggling with a lack of interest in activities, which can greatly impact their ability to maintain relationships and fulfil their daily responsibilities. Recovery Alliance Care provides customised care plans to address these specific challenges and to support stability, independence, and overall well-being. Our services include support coordination, community participation and assistance with daily living.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASD is a complex developmental disorder characterised by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours. The term "spectrum" reflects the wide range of symptoms and severity that individuals with ASD can experience.
Key Characteristics
Social Interaction Difficulties
Individuals may struggle with understanding social cues, forming relationships, and responding to social interactions appropriately.
Communication Challenges
This can range from delayed speech development to difficulties in understanding and using language effectively.
Repetitive Behaviours
These include repetitive movements, routines, and specific interests or obsessions.
Common Signs and Traits
Children
- Difficulty making eye contact
- Limited peer relationships
- Prefers playing alone
- Delayed speech development
- Limited use of gestures and facial expressions
- Echolalia (repeating words/phrases)
- Repetitive play or movements such as hand-flapping and rocking
- Over or under-reactive to sensory stimuli
- Aversion to certain textures, sounds, or lights
- Difficulty understanding and expressing emotions
- Requires support for daily routines
- May have challenges with toilet training, dressing, etc.
Adults
- Difficulty with small talk and social norms
- Challenges in forming and maintaining relationships
- May appear socially awkward or aloof
- Literal interpretation of language
- Difficulty understanding sarcasm or idioms
- Monotone or unusual speech patterns
- Rigid adherence to routines
- Sensory overload or seeking behaviours
- Sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights
- High levels of anxiety or depression
- Difficulty managing independent living tasks
- Challenges with time management and organisation
Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual disabilities (ID) are a group of disorders characterised by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour, which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This condition originates before the age of 18 and varies in severity from mild to profound. They often have significantly below-average intellectual functioning, which is often measured by IQ tests. They may also experience challenges in conceptual, social, and practical skills required for everyday living. Additionally, delayed milestones in areas such as speech, motor skills, and self-care are common in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Most Common Causes
Intellectual disabilities can result from various factors, often classified into prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal causes:
Prenatal Causes
These include genetic conditions, malnutrition, or exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy.
Perinatal Causes
Complications during birth, such as oxygen deprivation, premature birth, or low birth weight, can contribute to the development of ID.
Postnatal Causes
Factors such as infections, head injuries, severe malnutrition, and exposure to toxic substances can lead to intellectual disabilities after birth.
Types of Intellectual Disability
Fragile X Syndrome
A genetic condition causing intellectual disability, behavioural and learning challenges, and various physical characteristics.
Down Syndrome
A genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is characterised by intellectual disability, developmental delays, and physical traits such as a flat facial profile and almond-shaped eyes.
Developmental Delay
A term used when a child does not reach developmental milestones at the expected times. It can affect motor skills, speech and language, cognitive skills, and social and emotional development.
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)
A complex genetic condition affecting multiple systems of the body. It is characterised by a constant sense of hunger, leading to chronic overeating and obesity, intellectual disability, and behavioural problems.
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
A group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. It can result in physical abnormalities, intellectual disabilities, behavioural issues, and problems with learning and memory.
Our Support
At Recovery Alliance Care, we understand the challenges faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disabilities, such as difficulty with communication, social interactions, and adapting to new environments or routines. Our dedicated team provides support to help these individuals manage daily tasks, develop social skills, and engage in community activities.
Forensics and Juvenile Justice
It's important to recognise that a large number of individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system are dealing with cognitive disabilities. This encompasses a range of conditions such as intellectual disabilities, mild to borderline intellectual disabilities, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Additionally, many of these individuals are also facing psychosocial disabilities related to mental health challenges.
These individuals often come from backgrounds of significant disadvantage, including social isolation, stigma, homelessness, unemployment, and victimisation. These circumstances increase their vulnerability and lead to frequent encounters with law enforcement and the legal system.
The combination of cognitive and psychosocial disabilities deeply impacts daily life. Providing adequate support can help break the cycle, offering these individuals a better chance at stable and fulfilling lives.
We Provide Appropriate Services
At Recovery Alliance Care, we understand that each client’s situation is unique and shaped by various factors such as socioeconomic background, mental health, and personal history. Our dedicated team works diligently to unravel these complexities, offering tailored support to individuals who have committed crimes. We are trained to provide care that respects the dignity and rights of every individual, fostering an environment of trust and healing. We always aim to make a positive difference in the lives of our clients by helping them manage daily tasks, connect with their communities, and coordinate necessary support services.
Mission
By applying our extensive experience and knowledge, our clients will be empowered to tackle the challenges they face on their recovery journey.
Vision
To provide a service that achieves purely individualised care with uncompromising integrity.
Core Values
Compassion, Integrity, and Empowerment are the foundations of Recovery Alliance Care. We will always deliver our services with these core values at the heart of every interaction.
Discuss your needs with us to discover how we can effectively support you.
Recovery Alliance Care is a registered NDIS provider with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with complex mental health needs across Greater Melbourne and Geelong. We offer various NDIS services to meet each individual's unique needs, promoting independence, well-being and community involvement.
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