Dealing with NDIS leading to anxiety and suicidal ideation among participants

Andrew Bretherton is worried his NDIS payments will be cut. (Supplied: Andrew Bretherton)

As the federal government tries to rein in its spending on the NDIS, participants and advocates say they are suffering physically and mentally due to cuts to individual plans.

Users say the cuts are restricting vital support for day-to-day living.

Advocates warn participants will continue to fall through the cracks unless the government addresses the complex nature of individual needs.

It took three attempts and thousands of dollars in legal fees before Andrew Bretherton was finally granted access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Mr Bretherton lives with a complex biological illness called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which he developed after catching glandular fever as a 26-year-old.

"I've seen other people with my condition either [be] removed or had their funding massively cut and people in the ME/CFS community are quite scared about what these cuts will mean," Mr Bretherton said.

Those fears are affecting Mr Bretherton's mental health, and he is not alone.

One disability activist says the system is causing anxiety, depression and even suicidal ideation for those it is supposed to help.

Last month, the federal government announced it would remove more than 160,000 people from the NDIS, along with a host of other changes.

The government said it was all in a bid to crack down on massive cost blowouts.

Mr Bretherton, who also lives with autism, said NDIS cuts had directly affected him in the past and he hoped it would not happen again.

Last month, the federal government announced it was trying to rein in NDIS spending. (ABC News: Patrick Stone)

"Before I was on the NDIS, I was mostly housebound and bedbound," he said.

"I didn't have those supports in place to enable me to go out and participate in my community.

He said he was concerned future cuts would further restrict his access to the community and cause further mental health risks.

"Art therapy was one thing that did actually help, but that was cut completely," Mr Bretherton said.

"I also had my physio cut quite substantially which has led to more physical pain and mobility issues."

People with Disabilities Australia (PWDA) acting chief executive Megan Spindler-Smith said many people dealing with the NDIS were experiencing "exhaustion".

"Navigating the NDIS can be incredibly stressful," Mx Spindler-Smith said.

"We hear from people who are trying to work, study, raise children, manage their health, and participate fully in the