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Courage to call the GP and ask for assessment

NAS72133

Hello everyone.

today I finally found the courage to call my GP to ask if I could book and appointment with a doctor to see if I could be referred to have an autism assessment. 
it didn’t go well at all. The person on the phone asked if it was my child who needed one and I said no, that was me, and her reaction was “reallyyyy?” She asked me how old I was, I told her I was 28 and she asked “and you want an assessment just now?”. Anyway, she told me they were fully booked, and I completely understand, and asked me to call again next week to see if there was any appointments available.

the problem is, I felt really embarrassed. It took me a really long time to find the courage to make this call and I tried every other way to make this appointment through the app or website and there is no way. 
I find very difficult to call people and after this embarrassment there is no way I will call them again next week.

I really wanted to see a doctor as my social issues are starting to affect my life.

does anyone else has a suggestion or advice? I don’t have anyone to call on my behalf. 
thanks for reading this. 

  • please dont give up.   I echo, a lot of replies you have just received.

    The number of people in here in their 50s getting diagnoses is quite remarkable.

    I went to my GP thinkin I had Social Anxiety but ended up being diagnosed with autism.

    I have lost jobs over my anti-social  behaviour and i was repeating the pattern. 

    No one questioned me at any stage, well the GP did of course which is expected because he has to account for all assessments and their costs. 

    here is the plan I followed. It works.

    here is my extra notes  the piece in * * is for people who cant speak.

    Make a list of reasons why u think u are autistic.

    include relatives in your family who are autistic or adhd or called weird/different

    and a list of occasions when u have been called weird, autistic, different

    the list should be electronic ie so you can email it to anyone who wants it.

    Print out a copy and hand it to your doctor *with a cover letter asking to be referred for a preliminary autism assessment*.

    he will read it in front of you ask a few questions and will refer you.

    Then you wait to be called for the initial assessment.

  • in reply to M

    Thanks so so much. I definitely feel more confident to try again now. 

  • in reply to Gareth

    Omg I can’t believe how many replies I got already, thanks so much everyone. I’ve never told anyone how I feel so you all have been very helpful. 

  • Make the appointment. I was 60 when I realised I may be on the spectrum. I was excited to try for a diagnosis and luckily I got an appointment to discuss with my GP at the first try.

    Call them back as soon as you are able and make the appointment, it is worth it. Good luck Slight smile

  • Next time you call, just say you are calling about a private matter. If they push you could say it is about your mental health (not a complete fib as no doubt this is affecting you in that way). They don't need the ins and outs on the reception. 

    The GP will hopefully more professional and show more skill. I think I told the receptionist I was calling about anxiety (not untrue, main difficulty I have).