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Autism assessment and medication

Cat

Hello,

So, after five years of putting it off, I'm finally getting round to rearranging my referral for an assessment. Since I was last referred, I have started taking sertraline for anxiety and other various mental health tribulations, and as a result I've become far less anxious about social interactions (among other things). I still find them draining and difficult to navigate, but I tend not to spiral as badly as I once did and seem far more laid back.

My question is, because of the differences in my behaviour since starting sertraline, I'm wondering if an assessor would ask me to come off it in order to see me in my natural habitat as it were. It's not a pleasant prospect so I'd rather be prepared, and if anyone has any insight into this worry of mine, I'd really appreciate any advice.

  • Play some mind enhancing games to boost up your brain activity.It would help in recovering.

  • in reply to Cat

    Same way I used to describe it when I took it!

  • in reply to JJ

    This is very reassuring, thank you. I think I feel the same way, that my emotional dysregulatuon is being treated, but there are other aspects in my life that I can't explain through the lense of anxiety/depression (which in my experience seem to just be a symptom of coping with undiagnosed autism). I think going on SSRIs helps more in that I'm now able to recognise when I'm not coping and apply proper coping mechanisms to my situation.

  • in reply to Ladybird

    Thank you for your reply, that helps a lot

  • I was on sertraline during my assessment. I’ve been on it for depression and anxiety. It didn’t really work for me that well because it gave me brain fog and sort of “whatever, I don’t care” attitude (like instead of being anxious about being late to work I simply thought “whatever” which wasn’t good at all). Anyway, I was in process of coming off sertraline during my assessment but I was worried about coming off it completely and I told them all about it. In the end I got statement in my report that ASD had impact on my mental health and they’ve mentioned depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety and sertraline. And that was it.

  • (Background - I was on SSRIs and more for a huge amount of time)

    My (still growing) understanding of Autism etc is that emotional dysregulation is just one of very many facets of the experience. And that is why I felt very confused for a long time, being told that my anxiety/depression were being managed with emotion modifying drugs but still feeling that the rest of my being lacked a valid explanation and hence I was still confused / surprised / suddenly unable to cope with situations that presented.

    SSRIs never fundamentally changed who I am or how my thinking and interaction patterns differ from others'

    I probably felt some highs and lows less acutely but - in my view - mental wellness is not the lynchpin of an Autism diagnosis.

    So: I'd be shocked if they asked you to come of meds; and frankly if they did, my bet would be that they're not really understanding the real nature of Autism (or at least, not skilled enough to see through the one aspect of it that you have a crutch for).

  • in reply to aidie

    I'll definitely ask if I get the chance :)

  • in reply to moon

    'Sertralined up' that made me laugh that's exactly how I refer to it :) thank you for the advice, that's really helpful

  • I was assessed in September... my feeling was the assesment was mainly focused on my answers to questions about my behaviours and incidents stretching back to childhood. It didn't feel to me like how I was behaving during the few hours of assessment was that relevant.

    It could be argued it would be better you were sertralined up for the assessment so you can relax and answer the questions more completely. I was contacted by the assessor when I was put on the waiting list, and given the opportunity to ask questions about the assessment - I wouldn't have hesitated to ask about medications if it was relevant.

    NB: I was on sertraline prior to my self-diagnosis, and did find it somewhat helpful... but I went cold-turkey after I realised I was autistic and could understand why I was so anxious (and take steps to avoid it). The cold turkey thing wasn't good - I suggest if you do decide to stop the sertraline that you wean yourself off slowly.

  • i would ring them if u can. It is a very good question. Or ask your doctor to ask on your behalf because he is involved