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My gut instinct tells me am autistic but still self doubting, am confused.

Zakybi
over 5 years ago

I am confused.com

I think I maybe on the autistic spectrum, I have an appointment booked with the GP this Friday to ask for a referral but originally, I had made the appointment as I was struggling with depression and then a friend suggested it might be high functioning autism.

I did my reading on this forum, and other places including watching videos on YouTube by women on the spectrum it sounded just like me like I could have been giving that talk, but now am anxious and confused what if the GP does not believe me and what if they do but I am barking up the wrong tree and don’t get a diagnosis.

I did do the autism quiz online and I got 38 out of 50 and the empathy one and got 24 out of 80

Does this sound like autism?

  • I had speech development issues and was in speech therapy up to the age of 8/9 and recently I have been struggling again like I mispronounce words but in my head  they are okay but on my tongue they come out weird.
  • I have been in and out of employment have taken on temporary employment positions with gaps of months in between but this past year I have worked pretty much the whole time until recently I was just felt like my brain just did not want to function so I quit.
  • During the periods when I was in full-time employment positions, I consistently felt overwhelmed and would come home physically and mentally drained and have to sleep it off on most days it was particular worse last year when I started getting palpitations so went into both the hospital and the GP but physically nothing was found.
  • I been dealing with anxiety all my life except I didn’t quite know that’s what it was, it’s like the most random things make me anxious- like when u get lights that change colour and most situations that involve social interactions i.e. making phone calls
  • I become obsessed in one thing, that I don’t even hear someone talking to me, but if I am distracted from it then I find it really difficult to refocus and then that causes anxiety which leads to procrastination. At same time I can zone out sometimes even during a conversation
  • If I start something I have to finish and cant do anything else until I do, that includes watching a movie, reading a book, colouring or even household chores like cleaning of washing. If I leave it causes me anxiety or is constantly on my mind
  • I cannot multi-task at all
  • I have to have a to do list for like everything or things will not get done if not on their
  • I see everything in black and white and it is said about me I takes things too literally-which has caused problems in my relationships.
  • I basically just don’t have a great handle on life- I don't think I ever had it but really feel like up to now I had coping mechanisms but now they all kind of fell apart because of the depression

would appreciate any feedback does this sound familar

  • over 5 years ago in reply to Zakybi

    I had a private diagnosis. It was added to my medical record no problem.

  • over 5 years ago in reply to Beaky8401

    Thank you, will definitely ask

  • over 5 years ago in reply to Zakybi

    From what I understand a private assessment and diagnosis is not always automatically accepted by the NHS. And ideally you need it to be so it can go on your medical records. The private service I used required my GP to make the referal and aasessment request so that I can have their assessment and diagnosis NHS recognised and added to my notes.

    So do ask about that if you decide to go private. I could not wait the NHS waiting time for assessment, it was way too long!

  • over 5 years ago in reply to Yeswiblet

    My private diagnosis was £550

  • over 5 years ago in reply to Beaky8401

    Thank you, that's given me the confidence to go to my GP appointment keep wanting to back out but then thinking if I do will just end up thinking about it all the time. 

    I was thinking the same thing that if I cannot get an NHS referral to go through the private route as they are more likely to take me seriously if am paying for it or at least I will feel confident.

    I found the AQ10 thanks got 8 out of 10 on that one.

    true, don't like waiting for stuff lol 

  • over 5 years ago in reply to Yeswiblet

    Thanks that's a good idea,

  • over 5 years ago in reply to Beaky8401

    My GP was supportive, agreed I was probably on the spectrum - she picked up on me avoiding eye contact for instance. She would have referred me, but there is no funded provision in county for adult diagnosis with no aggravating factors. How much did the private diagnosis route cost?

  • over 5 years ago

    I got my diagnosis last Friday 7/12 and I could have written so much of your post myself! I ended up going for an NHS recognised "self funded" assessment (basically a private assessment that i paid for but my GP referred me so it can go on my medical records). I felt I had to take that route as my GP was really unsupportive of me having an assessment as an adult despite acknowedging himself that i more than qualified for one. He just didn't see the point. I should really complain and demand follow up about his attitude in a formal complaint as he was in breach of policy and denying my access to services I should have had automatic access to.

    Go to your GP with a printout of the AQ10 if possible, it can be found online. A score of 6 or more out of 10 means you are eligible for referal. Also take scores of AQ50 and empathy test. And a list of why you think you are autistic.

    Hope you get on well. And even if you end up in a long wait for formal assessment etc, self-diagnosis is acceptable and means you can begin to refame life for yourself to make adjustments that feel right for you without guilt.

  • over 5 years ago

    Consider bringing up masking strategies as part of the discussion with the GP. It is a good starting point for discussion. At least it was for me. It is relevant, and it is easier to discuss than to just turn it off. 

  • over 5 years ago

    Hi there

    Something that I and many others on here have found useful is to write down the reasons why you think you are autistic, and take that with you to your appointment for your GP to read. That way if you get overwhelmed when you are there and struggle to express yourself, you can hand over your mini-biography and ask the GP to read it. Also it will be in your own "voice" so not affected by any masking or you trying to present yourself in a certain way to him/her.

    Good luck for your appointment, I hope you are able to get some answers

  • over 5 years ago in reply to Disambiguating Cynosure

    Thanx, for the reply yh thats what am afraid of I will mask subconsciously.

  • over 5 years ago

    Greetings. I just caught this Thread being started, and so just say... When at your appointment then Do not "Mask" - i.e. Be yourself, no matter how strange or rude you may come across as. Also, collate as much evidence as possible, from your own History (School & Work & other Tests), that relates to yourself, including that which you list here so far.

    ...If you suspect that you may be Autistic then you probably are.

    ...Lastly... other people may next give better answers than this one! Just keep reading and checking... but I mostly wanted to say the "Do not Mask" bit, and that if you suspect Autism then it is always always worth checking out, certainly. Appointments are hard to gain, so use it while you can.

    ... Did I mention that you should not "Mask" during your appointment?     ;-)