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

Dara

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

  • I am in the process of getting diagnosed and it was easier than I thought it would be, based on things I have read in the internet. If you're worried your GP won't take you seriously, write a list of the autistic traits that you have and bring it with you. I did this (obsessively, with multiple drafts) but I didn't even need it, the GP immediately gave me the link to a website where I could self-refer myself.

    (Maybe I was acting so obviously autistic that he thought he didn't even need to question me. It happens when I am nervous.)

    Don't worry about not having any of 1,2,3 or 4. I would say 2 only applies to me very slightly, 1 not at all, and 3 and 4 do not apply to me because like you, I have had mental health issues but I never sought help until recently. I was still able to get referred, no problem.

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  • I am in the process of getting diagnosed and it was easier than I thought it would be, based on things I have read in the internet. If you're worried your GP won't take you seriously, write a list of the autistic traits that you have and bring it with you. I did this (obsessively, with multiple drafts) but I didn't even need it, the GP immediately gave me the link to a website where I could self-refer myself.

    (Maybe I was acting so obviously autistic that he thought he didn't even need to question me. It happens when I am nervous.)

    Don't worry about not having any of 1,2,3 or 4. I would say 2 only applies to me very slightly, 1 not at all, and 3 and 4 do not apply to me because like you, I have had mental health issues but I never sought help until recently. I was still able to get referred, no problem.

Children