Diagnosis (Female) who doesn't want to go to GP!

Yes, it is very nerve wracking talking to your GP about this stuff. But if you're going to go down the route of getting a diagnosis, there's no way of getting around the fact that you will eventually need to talk to a professional about it. My advice is that, when you're sure you want to do it, write a list of things you want to say in your appointment so then it's easier to talk if you get anxious. You might not need to say much. I didn't have to justify myself at all.

And remember, it is OK to act weird/anxious in your appointment, in fact it may even help your GP to believe you haha.

I was uncomfortable telling the receptionist what I wanted an appointment for, so I just said 'anxiety' and then brought it up with the doctor by saying "I am very anxious and I think it's because I'm autistic". Hope that helps.

they aren't all that bad! 

You only have to sit in front  of the GP once - that is all I did. Went to see her once, with my wife. Otheriwse the GP just invalidates every word. They all do - in the belief they are some kind of clever thing. 

 My GP is a MORON - so what, she has a degree or whatever. She is a simple NT who is just a sheep and I cant stand being i her pathetic tiny presence and she knows that is what I think. 

I always quiz GPs whenever I find out that is waht they do for a job. IMO - none of them have enough life experience not even the old ones. They sit in a little office - day in day out for years and decades on end, withering away. LOL 

Have you seen that ginger doc on the tele - Sarah whatever her name. Her tone of voice makes me wanna throw up, She makes me feel sick. YUK

I'm also 32 and recently approached my GP. As others have said, I had done the AQ tests, thought about past and present reasons why, pointed out lack of success with mental health support for anxiety, and things I'd read about other women with autism. 

Once I'd managed to say the word "autism" the rest came out naturally like I'd turned on a tap and it poured out. I also made a conscious decision to ask to speak to a particular GP that I had found sensitive about my mental health without just telling me to quit my admittedly stressful job (which I did and it didn't help!)

I went via a GP and it was only really a brief conversation where he asked why I wanted the referral, so it's helpful to prepare a list of reasons you believe you are autistic. At the end of the appointment (which was a phone call due to the whole covid thing)  he said he would make some enquiries and a couple of weeks later I received a form to fill in and send back, with an AQ10 questionnaire, and after I sent that back a few weeks later I received a letter from the specialists to book an initial consultation. That was more in depth about my background and history etc, but I think different places do the process differently.

I've rambled on a bit, but I think the point I was trying to make was that going via the GP wasn't too bad for me. I think the process is much slower when you go via the NHS, so if waiting makes you anxious then you might have issues, but at least you're not forking out a lot of money if you can't afford to.

I think all diagnoses will feel intrusive, there's no quick way to 'test' someone, so it'll always involve a fair amount of personal questions and observation. Also, I'd guess all private assessments would be pretty pricey, I mean private healthcare in general is pricey. If you can't afford one or don't want to pay, asking your GP for a referral would probably be the best.

There aren't any other alternatives that I know of. Although, I have found doctors who do assessments online (over calls) which may feel a bit less intrusive as it may be less stressful then face to face.

your gp doesnt really do so much some questions then he either refers you or not

is please go via your GP and NHS it willl save u some money.

The assessments can be a bit more intrusive but within reason.

I watched a film ( Maniac ) whereby an AI computer diagnosed all mental illnesses,, is that your dream ?

You can  "self diagnose", u know that right ?

here is the plan, I followed, just follow one step at a time it will be over in no time. Its worth it.

if you can afford a specialist - i'd go for the specialist. it depends on the amount of scratch, i guess, but you referred to a silly amount....  here in the usa, the only folk who understand autism, with its accompanying issues, are specialists. 

 depending on how much trouble you've had in your life, you might fork over the dough. there's always just kind of trying different doctors, etc --- holding off on forking over big scratch. that's reasonable --- i'm at the point where i've managed to get payment for specialists, but that is hard to find. now, i may fork over for some sensory sensitivity specialists, although i'm doing my own research also. there's a ton of info on the web. it's a LOT, and the culling the people you want from the rest touches off my sensitivities, to a large or medium extent.

all a gp can do, here in the usa, is fork you over to a specialist. personally, it's better to search for your own specialists. gp's won't know who is good and who aint. but it may be worth a try.