• Replies 11 replies
  • Subscribers 85 subscribers
  • Views 3341 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

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.

Parents

  • 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.

Reply

  • 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.

Children