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Awaiting assessment.

NAS50465

Hi I've recently been referred to the adult autism team. I've suffered from anxiety and low mood for 10+ years now and it was just with my current psychologist that we began to explore the possibility of ASD. 

Problem is I'm really struggling with the waiting time. It will take about a year to be seen and I'm struggling to cope with not knowing. Family say I have become obsessed with talking about autism and my thoughts are so overloaded. I'm trying to dissect and analyse every thought to try and understand is it ASD or not. I've tried to come to terms with reasons for anxiety over the years and throwing the possibility of ASD in the mix is making me feel lost and like all I've understood might be totally wrong. Did anyone else feel like this in the time they were waiting for assessment? Any advice? 

  • in reply to qwerty

    Thanks. I definitely need to practice this less worrying thing. Mind is so busy!

  • in reply to Kitsune

    Thanks, it definitely has become even more of an interest for me- I work with kids on the spectrum already so it's hard to switch off from it altogether. Definitely a learning curve to understand it from an adult and personal point of view!

  • I can understand how you feel. The uncertainty of the length of waiting is very frustrating indeed. Since they did give you an estimate of the time to be seen (you said a year), then maybe you can worry about it when the time gets closer. Worrying about it now won't make it faster and regardless whether you have it or not doesn't change the person you are. Another possibility to deal with the stress of having to wait so long, is that lots of people here have suggested going private so that you can be seen within a week or two. I agree with the comments that other people have posted. Hope you will be able to find some helpful to you.

  • Hi, it’s really good that you have been referred and are in the waiting list, it’s a step in the right direction.

    Waiting can be a pain. I think it’s fairly natural to become obsessed by autism once you realise you have it, I know I did/am. It basically becomes your new special interest and you want to find out as much information about it as possible so that you can analyse everything about you to try to work out if you have ASD or not. Best advice is to use these forums to share thoughts/experiences with others in similar situations and to gain support:-)