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Finding out that I’m autistic

Abi23

Hi, don’t really know how to start this but I have been researching autism for a while now and I’m fairly sure that i am autistic. My family are not very accepting of this, and I feel I need to get an official diagnosis to really ‘prove’ that I am autistic. The only problem is that I don’t like going to see the GP, my anxiety holds me back from doing a lot of things. And I know that the longer I put off going to the doctors, the longer it will take to go through the diagnostic process. So does anyone have any advice about getting over my anxiety and how to tell the GP that I think I am autistic? Also would appreciate any details on how long it takes to get a diagnosis on the NHS and what kind of things are involved in the process. 

Parents

  • Good Morning Abi and welcome. It’s not till you start reading some of the posts on here that you  finally realise and start to understand why you have always felt like you do.

    I realised that I wasn’t crazy, I have autism. I’m at the same stage as you, I’ve been to my GP I think six times in my life, so I think he must realise that I don’t waste his time.

    I’m 54, my sister has been very supporting but my mother I think just doesn’t get it. She actually told that I don’t look autistic. My appointment is tomorrow morning with my GP, I’ve chosen to see him face to face as I have a big issue with phones.I have been making notes as without I will just sit there like Elmer Fudd, my childhood stutter comes back as well. Its ’s not till you start that you realise how much material there is.

    I have realised that I have become very good at masking and can portray I normal person while confusion and rage at times is going on in my head. I think the constant masking is what eventually leads to me having meltdowns. 
    Ive realised that I’ve got to stop trying to be everything to everyone. I let people manipulate me as I don’t have any social skills to stop them.

    The wait for diagnosis can be up to two years, it is a postcode lottery. Private is about an 8 week turnaround at about £1500.  
    I think you know what you need to do and I sure you will find the best path that suits you.

    Good luck with your journey.

  • in reply to Roy

    I think its hard isn’t it when you’ve masked for a long time and then finding out the reasons why you have felt different. I hate that people think there is a certain “look” about autism. And I’ve been told that because I was a “normal” child then I can’t be autistic. It’s really difficult to get people to see it our way.  I’m hoping that starting the process of getting a diagnosis might change that, though I definitely can’t afford to pay private so it looks like a long wait. 
    Good luck for your GP appointment! :) 

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  • in reply to Roy

    I think its hard isn’t it when you’ve masked for a long time and then finding out the reasons why you have felt different. I hate that people think there is a certain “look” about autism. And I’ve been told that because I was a “normal” child then I can’t be autistic. It’s really difficult to get people to see it our way.  I’m hoping that starting the process of getting a diagnosis might change that, though I definitely can’t afford to pay private so it looks like a long wait. 
    Good luck for your GP appointment! :) 

Children