Self Diagnosis vs Professional

I went ahead with getting a diagnosis (following a therapist's recommendation) and I'm glad I did.  I'm the kind of person who needs to have something that I can hold up and say 'Here it is - proof and validation'.  Up until then, all I was getting was random diagnoses (dismissals?) of 'anxiety disorder', 'depression', 'SAD', etc.  That was from doctors.  From other people, it was 'anti-social', 'fussy', 'rude'.  I got used to hearing 'Everyone gets down days.  Take yourself out for a walk and get some air.  Find a hobby.' 

Getting the diagnosis has helped me tremendously.  I now get taken a bit more seriously by others - though I still get the old 'That's not autism - everyone gets anxious' lines wheeled out to me on occasion.  My mental health has improved now that I have something to pin it on.  My whole life now makes sense to me.  Also, I can ask for reasonable adjustments in the workplace.  They know I don't like my routine altered too much, and I don't like overtime, and they're fine with working around that.

From referral to diagnosis, I waited just over 2 years.  But it was worth it.

It isn't the key to everything, of course.  People can still be funny and narrow-minded about it.  Some people struggle to accept that someone in their own family, for instance, has a 'condition'... like it's a stain on the fabric.  They're the minority, though.  I'm open about it with everyone I meet and work with, and generally they're accepting and understanding.  We have some interesting discussions, and I'm able to destroy a few myths.  Small things - but that's how these stigmas eventually get broken down, I feel.

Thank you

Hi there sorry if I have missed it but did you get NHS diagnosis or private?

 Glad it gave you a way to be you, no more having to explain yourself.

I am still in the process of drafting some notes to help when seeing my gp for referral. I looked into private and total costs given were £1500, two health professionals first, they then decide if a visit with pyschiatrist is needed. 

I am stumbling with the notes or letter. I cannot do anything half hearted, I also fear failure! If I get it wrong it means the difference between a diagnosis or not,,,,well in my mind it does, a bit of anxiety?

I also trust and always assume a specialist is right. I shape shift to fit into life.therefore when talking to the gp I understand a lot about my condition,the drugs, the chemistry behind the drugs and changes and effects it has.

they usually assume I have a job in the field of medicine.

they are shocked and bewildered when I tell them I am a ground worker.

 So I will have to not cope! Counter productive as I must succeed, Do I try to cope or be myself, The I know I must put across my daily issues, how I cannot cope with Disorder, how I work with people who disengage brain, I struggle when meeting clients, that’s getting a full time thing now, all the never decreasing admin for health and safety I am dyslexic! I took the choice to do manual work as my memory is so bad, fast forward thirty years and I am writing every day, whole pages, it wears me out.

Sorry a rambling life history, I have no one to talk to about me! Sorry it just comes out in buckets..

. said:

i understand from the diagnosis process they might want to talk to family etc......I am estranged from mine and they are fundamentally ignorant about who or what I am so that is not a possible pathway.

Hi Ellie... my NHS diagnosis was completed with just my wife accompanying me. We have only been together 16 years so didn't have the first hand knowledge of me as a kid that assessors like. Neither of my parents are alive now and I am an only child so no siblings and anyone else vaguely suitable was either too old/frail to attend or lived many hundreds of miles away. The psychiatrist who assessed me asked for someone who knew me as a young child on the first appointment letter but I phoned and explained and he was fine about it saying it was preferable but he still could diagnose without it, it was just harder.

So don't let that put you off!

I undertsand. I over articulate, which has +'s and -'s.

Maybe some kind of advocacy on your behalf would be supportive.

Whatever works for you...

I find it difficult to articulate myself as well as anxiety..the former comes with lack of practice I think...and fear of not being heard 

Thanks for that.

Following a conversation with a psychiatrist I see about chronic pain, he gave me the name of a specialist who could formally diagnose. 

As a result, I got an official diagnosis last week: I think it's just a matter of personal preference if you feel comfier being formally diagnosed or doing it yourself: We're all going to be the same people post diagnosis anyway.

Overcome by anxiety about seeing your GP, eh?

That's very understandable and, having driven 90 miles this morning from my partner's house, because I had forgotten to leave the heating on and was consequently entertaining images of a catastrophic pipebursting apocalypse, I'll let you conclude whether or not I have anxiety issues.......x

Well, hopefully you have an understanding GP. If not, don't forget they have a statutory obligation to make every effort to accommodate you. I am currently talking to my local CCG about my GP refusing to fund ADHD medication, which costs me nearly £200 monthly. May I enquire as to why the GP part makes you anxious? I only ask, as I know a first class presentation about how to get your GP to refer you. 

Yes, the diagnostic process tries to involve other family members, which I needed to bypass.

I'm estranged from my only sibling, and my ex-wife just burst out laughing when I told her I was going for a diagnosis, saying "I could have told you that". I'm only with my girlfriend 10 months and didn't feel comfortable with her being present  I went privately and they were more than fine with me being on my own.

Personally, having an official diagnosis is a relief - Like it's not up to me anymore to explain myself.

It also depends how comfortable the individual is in having ASD. Yes, I look back and think...."If only this, and if only that", but I tend to look more forward than backward.

Finally, I'm pretty sure the NHS pays for 4 follow up sessions with your psychologist post diagnosis but whatever avenue you explore, just be happy its the one that makes you happy.

:)

It is worth searching the forum for similar threads as there is lot of advice elsewhere on the forum.

If you work you may prefer an official diagnosis as this will allow reasonable adjustments; you would be very lucky indeed to be allowed reasonable adjustments when self-diagnosed. This link may be of use:
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/employment-workplace-adjustments

At the moment I am self diagnosed....I had read a lot, identified a lot, undertaken various online assessments.

i tried to raise it with my doctor but got overcome by the anxiety of it....so failed there...

i understand from the diagnosis process they might want to talk to family etc......I am estranged from mine and they are fundamentally ignorant about who or what I am so that is not a possible pathway.

i am hoping to get a private diagnosis but I think that might mean I still need a doctors referral...

so im kind of stuck diagnosis wise at the moment.....

In  terms of my ASD, I accept it.....it is now shifting things in me as I reinterpret my life and my interactions with it