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CBT stopped due to impending autism diagnosis

PINARELLO F8

Hi everyone

I went to see my GP a few months ago because I was suffering with severe anxiety and was referred to IAPT for CBT 

CBT started well for the first couple of sessions and I was responding to the therapy until we realised I probably had Aspergers. This completely derailed the therapy and by sixth session I was actually more stressed and anxious than at the start. I asked for a few more sessions but was told it was out of the question

The CBT therapist referred me for an autistic diagnosis which would be in about 3 months time and said that I would receive an intensive course of CBT lasting 12 weeks in about 6 months time.

I went away and tried to cope with my anxiety/stress/suicidal thoughts on my own. After a week I really wasn't coping so phoned IAPT for help. They refused and also told me I wasn't being put forward for the intensive CBT course. They said I had been told  in error

I am assuming that IAPT are waiting for the outcome of the autism diagnosis before committing themselves to further treatment ??

Surely the outcome is irrelevant ??

I found CBT helpful but six sessions is inadequate. I was really looking forward to more sessions to help my anxiety (NICE recommend 12-20 sessions)

Does anyone know if the CBT will be re instated once they receive the diagnosis whatever the outcome?

Thanks

James

Parents

  • Based on my own experiences, I'm not at all sure that IAPT will be able to offer you much anyway.  The service is largely CBT driven (OK if this appeals to you and you have a good therapeutic relationship) but also time limited and AFAIK they have no particular knowledge of autism.  

    After my GP agreed to refer me for an autism assessment, I was given a key worker with the (admittedly horribly named) Affective Disorders Team plus also 16 sessions of CAT (cognitive analytica therapy) with a psychologist in that team.  I'd say these were fairly helpful while I was waiting so they might be worth asking about, particularly if you're not feeling safe or not coping in the meantime.  

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  • Based on my own experiences, I'm not at all sure that IAPT will be able to offer you much anyway.  The service is largely CBT driven (OK if this appeals to you and you have a good therapeutic relationship) but also time limited and AFAIK they have no particular knowledge of autism.  

    After my GP agreed to refer me for an autism assessment, I was given a key worker with the (admittedly horribly named) Affective Disorders Team plus also 16 sessions of CAT (cognitive analytica therapy) with a psychologist in that team.  I'd say these were fairly helpful while I was waiting so they might be worth asking about, particularly if you're not feeling safe or not coping in the meantime.  

Children
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