Published on 12, July, 2020
So last year I saw my GP because my anxiety seemed to be gradually worse and medication (Citalopram) wasn't having much effect (I was also on anti migraine medication).
So we discussed whether there was an underlying reason for my stress and anxiety seemed to be getting worse over the last few years?
The result of this was for me to write 8 of notes pages that I gave my GP in order for him to seek advice as to whether there warranted further investigation.
However, after about 3 months, he said he could not find anyone to take a look and so I asked for a private referral.
This resulted in me seeing a Consultant Psychiatrist at the end of May, who said he was 95% sure that I had Aspergers. But in his letter to my GP stated he always seeked a second opinion but was having trouble finding a suitable available Psychologist.
Yesterday marked 6 weeks since my consultation and asked what was happening. Apparently, I had been referred to Hampshire & Surrey Psychology. I contacted them and was replied with their process for assessment.
To my irritation, it appears I have to pay (~£300) for another consultation to determine whether it is worth me having the full assessment (at an addition cost of £1500).
I just feel that my consultation with the Psychiatrist was a waste of time and money :(
I have to wait two weeks for my second consultation :(
At last I now have the result of my private formal assessment and the result is.. I meet the diagnostic criteria for an Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) ??
Now I'm not sure what this really means, but I will find out tomorrow at my final Q&A session with the Psychologist.
So it looks like the saga has ended or has it ??
ASC is my formal diagnosis (received a few years ago.) The diagnostic categories aren't split into Aspergers/Low-functioning/High-functioning etc. like they used to be; the aim being to reflect that there are huge grey areas between them (though it's still quite a controversial change.)
When they fill in the details at your follow-up session, what should be indicated is what kind of support you're considered to require. Sometimes this is given as a "level" (1 = minimal support, 3 = 24 hour care), but in my case it was more of a narrative kind of thing with specific areas highlighted.
JohnS said:So it looks like the saga has ended or has it ??
The end of one saga and the beginning of another for me; though it's very variable depending on what services are available where you live. To date none of my identified support needs have been put in place - I seem stuck in limbo between mental health services and social services, neither of whom really offer the kind of support that I need, and they have tried to pass the buck back and forth several times. On the other hand, having the whole question of my diagnosis settled has made it easier to do things to help myself, assisted along the way by the support of people in places like this one - there are a lot of improvement that can be made without official interventions.
I'd recommend taking a bit of time out to reflect about your diagnosis, unless that would mean missing an opportunity for support that's offered at the follow-up session, or you have a pressing need to disclose to anyone in authority. Giving your mind a break from the stress, and letting things sink in a little bit, is better than trying to jump into things too quickly, IMHO.