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Getting diagnosis (adult) - yes or no

NAS77223

Hello,  

I am in my late 30s and considering looking into an Autism diagnosis for myself. My son has recently been diagnosed, he is 8 years old. I have suffered mental health since being a teenager although I manage it on the whole well now. I have identified many traits in myself through learning about Autism through my son.  I have also completed the NAS quiz which resulted in a score indicating "significant Autistic traits". I have spoke to my local GP practice who advised against it saying "we are all on the spectrum somewhere and as an adult there is no benefit to getting one". If I'm really honest I felt really sad about these comments as I feel getting a diagnosis will help me understand myself and accept myself more. It may also help my son which is the most important thing to me. Has anyone else felt this way or could give me advice/opinions?

Kind Regards. 

Parents

  • Speak to another GP, or if you can afford to, get yourself assessed privately. That's awfully bad practice of the GP you had the misfortune of seeing. Autism has a genetic component, so since your child has it, it wouldn't be at all surprising that you also do indeed have it. If you feel like a diagnosis would help you and your son navigate being autistic better, then you should definitely seek out consultation with a specialist. It's your right to do so. You deserve to understand yourself and your needs better.

    The "everyone is a little bit autistic" thing has me fuming, actually. That could be said about any condition, in a sense. Someone goes to see a GP with some physical condition, and then they write them off by saying "everyone is a little bit unwell." While true, because health is not a matter of being on or off - health isn't a binary of well v unwell - and the same can be said for any physical or mental health condition, a diagnosis is all about understanding why we experience the things we do. I might not go see a doctor for a very mild and/or temporary pain, but I would go and see a doctor for a worse and/or longer lasting pain because maybe a doctor would be able to help somehow. Maybe they could at least put a name to it, and let me know if it's serious or not.

    I understand doctors are overworked, especially currently, but there is no excuse for these kinds of lackadaisical attitudes towards patients. Getting sick and tired of hearing about these kinds of stories. It's mistreatment, pure and simple.

Reply

  • Speak to another GP, or if you can afford to, get yourself assessed privately. That's awfully bad practice of the GP you had the misfortune of seeing. Autism has a genetic component, so since your child has it, it wouldn't be at all surprising that you also do indeed have it. If you feel like a diagnosis would help you and your son navigate being autistic better, then you should definitely seek out consultation with a specialist. It's your right to do so. You deserve to understand yourself and your needs better.

    The "everyone is a little bit autistic" thing has me fuming, actually. That could be said about any condition, in a sense. Someone goes to see a GP with some physical condition, and then they write them off by saying "everyone is a little bit unwell." While true, because health is not a matter of being on or off - health isn't a binary of well v unwell - and the same can be said for any physical or mental health condition, a diagnosis is all about understanding why we experience the things we do. I might not go see a doctor for a very mild and/or temporary pain, but I would go and see a doctor for a worse and/or longer lasting pain because maybe a doctor would be able to help somehow. Maybe they could at least put a name to it, and let me know if it's serious or not.

    I understand doctors are overworked, especially currently, but there is no excuse for these kinds of lackadaisical attitudes towards patients. Getting sick and tired of hearing about these kinds of stories. It's mistreatment, pure and simple.

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