Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi, im new here, 32YO adult not currently diagnosed with AS but considering getting an assessment.
Ive had mental health problems most of my life, depression anxiety/GAD. In the past year this has escalated so ive ended up starting to see a new councellor.
I had my 1st session this week and was stunned when after explaining my difficulties she asked if id ever considered i was on the spectrum, as a lot of what i struggle with sounds a lot like aspergers.
After my initial shock, at their suggestion i did a bit of research and a lot of what ive read makes sense, particularly with social issues, eye contact, being perceived as rude, short temper, difficulty understanding what people expect or mean (i feel like im missing something when people speak, like im always trying to second guess what they mean and getting it wrong) obsessive interests, etc. I did a baren cohen test online and scored 34 (strong possibility of AS)
So im considering visiting my gp to get a referal, i have no idea what to do or expect. Or if i should do so at all.
I read that a parent needs to answer questions on development, but i am estranged from my mother (father not in the picture either) would this complicate things?
Also my biggest fear is that at the end id be told im not AS then will feel like ive just wasted valuable NHS time.
On the otherhand, i feel maybe getting a diagnosis will help with work, as my collegues, friends and family (and myself!) would be able to understand why im the way i am and im not just being deliberately difficult. And i could maybe stand a better chance of getting support, as mental health provisions are extremely poor in my area without going private
Help/advice/opinions welcome, sorry for the long essay!
It's certainly worth asking but it is going to be a long wait :(. I wrote a whole lot of notes to my GP last December, to see if he could find someone in the NHS to review my notes and see if there was anything to see.
These notes were a history of my life, describing anything I thought was odd. It started with when I was about 4 and was taken to a Police station, as I never liked wearing shoes and socks in our garden, even in Winter. I used to sit on the front garden wall watching the traffic go by and someone on a bus reported me
So I wrote about school, college and University. All my coping mechanisms my sons Aspergers (Autism is considered very genetic). My social interaction problems, thought processes and obsessions. My notes totalled 8 pages in all.
By February, he hadn't been able to find anyone and so went Private. Saw a Psychiatrist at Southampton Priory Well being centre in late May and was diagnosed with Asperger's. But it was suggested I get a second opinion and was referred to Hampshire & Surrey Psychologists for an "Official" assessment. This has now concluded in August with a diagnosis if ASC.
I didn't have a family member to take and so my wife and I were interviewed in one session (My wife did not believe I had Autism but suffered from Social Anxiety).
The back drop to all this was that I had stress/anxiety since for over 20 years (medicated) and that medication seemed to have less of an effect and I had a run in with bosses at work for speaking my mind!
So at least now I can say I officially have Autism, although it's annoying that over month has passed since my diagnosis and I am still waiting for my letter (to give to work Occupational Health) and my detailed diagnosis report
So it's taken nearly a year and cost me £2100. Going the NHS route would have taken at least 2 years!
Finally for me, my notes were sent to the Psychiatrist who then saw me for 1hr45mins.
The referral to H&S Psychologists consisted of a 1hr45 initial assessment (ie a chat about why I though I had ASC, my issues, problems and notes. She decided at the end of the session that a formal assessment was worthwhile.
Then I had a ADOS test with a different Psychologist. This was the observational test with some questions.
Another 1hr45 session with my wife and I.
And finally a 1hr30 feedback session to discuss my diagnosis.
Thanks so much for your in depth reply, this is really helpful!
although MH provisions are poor in my area, there is an NHS run AS centre near me that specialises in adult assessments, so i guess your right, i could try and get on the waiting list and prepare for a long wait, private is not really an option for me right now
i will definately consider making a list, since the councellor pointed it out to me and i started researching, there are several instances in my past that stand out that i never really considered or understood before, so maybe it would be good to get it down on paper.