Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
I’m 33 and female and went to speak to the GP about an autism assessment. He asked me a load of personal questions and I got a bit emotional answering him, but I felt really embarrassed more than anything. Answering a few random questions on the spot to justify something that makes sense because of a lifetime of a million little things rather than any one glaring symptom.
I think I’m perceived as mostly normal but inside I’m acutely aware of how much I’m having to concentrate and calculate my responses. Every day is an exam that I can score ok on but I’m perpetually revising. There are things I don’t even remember because I’m so practised in negating my reaction, I’m like an robot, until someone else points it out as one of their symptoms of their autism and I connect another dot.
He said that I might be but might not, he didn’t seem very knowledgeable, and that I’d have to travel to Sheffield. End of appointment.
I googled Sheffield and it seemed legit. I get the referral through and it’s to an anxiety and depression therapy agency in Derby.
The thing is that anxiety and depression are not part of my symptoms. My reactions are very internal and sometimes they explode out in private and other times I manage to swallow them deep until I can reason with myself somehow and let it go.
Anxiety and depression were not mentioned in the appointment either. Except as I was literally walking out of the room and he asked if I was depressed, he didn’t actually use that word, and I said no and he nodded and I left.
I have a telephone consultation booked when he gets back off his holiday (?!) so what can I say?
Thanks
No, I’m speaking to the GP again on the phone after I questioned my referral.
I don’t know what I can say to him to get assessed when he’s clearly changed his mind in the absence of his patient.
I would ask to see another doctor-preferably Female -and if they say no to that just up sticks and find another GP surgery-an easy procedure-don't worry! We have to put up with enough as it is and you should not have to do battle with a GP who you do not have total confidence in.and who does not appear to be that sympathetic. A telephone consultation sounds pretty awful and impersonal, your GP should have more sensitivity, I am still waiting for mine but when t eventually comes I know it will be face to face and that will mean that they will be able to see me as a real person and pick up on any visual clues I may provide instead of just some disembodied voice with whom there can be no direct interaction
It is no small thing you are attempting to find some resolution over, this is life-changing stuff and it is important that you feel you are at least being pointed in the right direction by someone who truly has your best interests at heart.
Good Luck!!