Has anyone got a diagnosis without prior history of using mental health services?

Hi. What are your experiences with a UK adult diagnosis, did you need to have any of the 4 factors below?

I have done months of obsessive research and self-reflection and know that I'm autistic. I want a diagnosis, but having read the English guidance for GPs, I see that they will not just look at all my traits like I expected, but also whether I've had:

  1. "Problems in obtaining or sustaining employment or education.
  2. Difficulties in initiating or sustaining social relationships.
  3. Previous or current contact with mental health or learning disability services.
  4. A history of a neurodevelopment condition or mental disorder."

The thing is, 3 would have applied to me if I had sought help previously for depression, anxiety and OCD, but I never did. (I do have probs with 1 and 2, but not enough to concern a GP.) Now I'm worried that my disinclination for seeking help in the past will create a barrier now that I'm finally asking for some.

Does anyone know anything about this? 

Thanks! 

Parents
  • Thank you for that. Perhaps I am seeing the list of additional criteria as too concrete (it was a link I got from the NAS website on what criteria GPs are supposed to use) and it is worth doing as you say and trying anyway. The uncertainty of how it will go is putting me off making that first phone call. The flowchart and the advice you've given is great though and really helps. Thanks again. Slight smile

Reply
  • Thank you for that. Perhaps I am seeing the list of additional criteria as too concrete (it was a link I got from the NAS website on what criteria GPs are supposed to use) and it is worth doing as you say and trying anyway. The uncertainty of how it will go is putting me off making that first phone call. The flowchart and the advice you've given is great though and really helps. Thanks again. Slight smile

Children
No Data