• Replies 10 replies
  • Subscribers 85 subscribers
  • Views 2979 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Getting a diagnosis

Lady

Hello. I am new here and would love to hear from others who may be going through a similar process of trying to get a diagnosis for ASD or Asperger's in adulthood. I am in my 40s and believe I am on the spectrum. I have struggled with social anxiety, OCD, and sensory problems since childhood and been very isolated since graduating from college. I have no real meaningful friendships and romantic relationships impossible as I don't like invasion into my personal space and am uncomfortable with displays of affection. I find it hard to talk in social scenes and bright or flashing lights are a real problem for me. So is noise. I am unable to work due to the problems. 

I finally plucked up the courage to go to my GP with my suspicion I have ASD, in the hope a diagnosis would help me to get support to live independently (I live with parents), but am struggling to get a referral. I have taken tests online, all of which came back positive for ASD, but I failed one of the two tests given to me at the GP surgery by just a few points, so on that basis am told I may not get a referral but it hasn't been ruled out. I am concerned I will get a diagnosis of general anxiety or social phobia which won't be as helpful to me in the long term, and my lights issue isn't a phobia but genuinely problem as they hurt my eyes and seems to bounce everywhere. .

I am very disappointed as not all the questions were easy to answer and still believe I am on the spectrum. I also didn't test positive for OCD, as not distressed enough by symptoms apparently, so getting no real help for that either. Also I am worried that if I don't get the diagnosis then people won't accept I have mental challenges and I'll be expected to recover with some phobia therapy when I don't think realistically I can do more than manage my condition.

Anyone else finding it hard to be taken seriously? I know NHS is under pressure, and referrals cost money, which makes me feel guilty, but I do believe I have ASD, just perhaps not ticking all the right boxes on the forms. I am not unempathetic. I have too much, if anything, and have to shut things out on tv, for example, as they are too much to process.

Thank you for reading.

Parents

  • Welcome to the forum Slight smile

    I'm also seeking a referral at the moment. My GP was not understanding at all - he (falsely) told me that there were no autism assessment services in my area and wouldn't even give me a referral for my mental health conditions (anxiety and OCD). He just gave me a business card for the mental health service and told me to self-refer; I felt like he wasn't interested and just wanted to get me out the door.

    I went for my mental health referral and as well as getting me a referral for anxiety/OCD therapy, my assessor really listened when I brought up my suspicions about autism and how I thought it was linked to my anxiety (e.g. sensory issues getting worse when I'm anxious). He took me through the autism traits on the NAS website and got me to give examples of things I'd experienced to help him build a case for my referral. I'm still waiting to hear back as the waiting lists are long, but it made such a difference to feel like someone cared and understood.

    My best advice is to learn what you can about autism, gather as much evidence as you can (e.g. examples of experiences you've had), and keep pushing until someone listens. Certainly don't feel guilty about costing the NHS - you have legitimate challenges and it's only right that you get the support you need. If you find you're struggling to get a referral, the NAS have a helpline you can contact - it might be worth getting some advice from them.

    Good luck - I hope you get the answers you're looking for.

Reply

  • Welcome to the forum Slight smile

    I'm also seeking a referral at the moment. My GP was not understanding at all - he (falsely) told me that there were no autism assessment services in my area and wouldn't even give me a referral for my mental health conditions (anxiety and OCD). He just gave me a business card for the mental health service and told me to self-refer; I felt like he wasn't interested and just wanted to get me out the door.

    I went for my mental health referral and as well as getting me a referral for anxiety/OCD therapy, my assessor really listened when I brought up my suspicions about autism and how I thought it was linked to my anxiety (e.g. sensory issues getting worse when I'm anxious). He took me through the autism traits on the NAS website and got me to give examples of things I'd experienced to help him build a case for my referral. I'm still waiting to hear back as the waiting lists are long, but it made such a difference to feel like someone cared and understood.

    My best advice is to learn what you can about autism, gather as much evidence as you can (e.g. examples of experiences you've had), and keep pushing until someone listens. Certainly don't feel guilty about costing the NHS - you have legitimate challenges and it's only right that you get the support you need. If you find you're struggling to get a referral, the NAS have a helpline you can contact - it might be worth getting some advice from them.

    Good luck - I hope you get the answers you're looking for.

Children
No Data