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Speaking on the phone, medical & health appointment

Deleted User

I've got a telephone appointment next week to discuss my health. In the past when talking to doctors or whoever,  I've struggled to explain myself properly. I now know this is autism related to do with communication, alexithymia and poor interoception. So now I'm aware of it, I'm more apprehensive than I usually would be as I'm more aware that I struggle to explain myself properly.

So next week on the phone I am going to state from the off that I struggle with open questions and also request if I can email anything retrospectively after the appointment. Also that i sometimes struggle to fully understand how i feel. Of course I'll write a list of what I want to include but quite often this goes out of the window during conversation. I've been keeping a diary but even that is difficult when I have to pinpoint what's going on (ie to what extent). I think sometimes I err on the side of caution and think I'm ok when I'm actually not. I'm just going to tell them I'm AS so find these things difficult.

I need to be able to explain myself clearly or I'm concerned they'll think there's not much of a problem when actually there is and my case won't go any further. 

Has anybody else got any tips or strategies that you use in these situations? I'd much prefer to speak in person or type answers to questions and find initial assessments difficult on the phone. It's ok though once I've got to know someone. 

Thanks.

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  • Unknown said:
    I'd much prefer to speak in person or type answers to questions

    pretty much like most of us

    I stopped making any phonecalls, or answering to any, instead I keep emailing saying that I can't talk on a phone because of speech reciognition difficulties, and keep emailing until matter is resolved

  • in reply to Mariusz

    I much prefer email too. I really don’t like talking in person or on the phone. 
    I have a phone appointment with my Doctor’s surgery this week and I’m dreading it. 

    As you say - writing things down before the call is a good idea - but like you when it actually comes to it I get very stressed and often can’t focus on the things I’ve written down whilst I’m talking - so I still forget to mention things! 

    Can you have someone you trust with you while you have the phone call - would that help? 

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    Thanks kate. Yes this is what I'm thinking for one of them, but the other I don't think will be possible to have someone with me. I'll just try my best. At least I'm aware of it now whereas in the past I'd come away from the appointment and feel frustrated with myself or remember bits I should've said when they asked.

    The other difficulty I have is when the other person goes too fast. I've had this problem recently with mental health appointments and I've come off the phone and cried thinking Wtf has just happened. I just try and keep up with them and mask instead of asking them to slow down...it doesn't occur to me and I think it's cos I've masked so much through life I don't realise when I need something. I also find it really irritating when the line is bad like I can't concentrate cos of the poor reception.

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    Why do you feel guilty about it? I dont know your reasons for being veggie, but you are probably doing more and are more conscious of things than a lot of other people. I heard someone say on Gardeners World once in relation to encouraging wildlife that "anything is better than nothing, however small" and I think this is a good thing to apply to other areas not just gardening.

    I think we are meant to eat meat just not the amount of farmed meat that we do in this modern age but it's how we have evolved due to inventing farming methods. I was watching Ancient Britain on iplayer...it seemed ancient people who were hunter gatherers had an intrinsic relationship with nature and were part of it. I think people were thankful to the animal for providing for them and nothing would be wasted. 

    Have a Guinness and lots of leafy green veg!

    Also you said we struggle with things which other people find easy. I think this could also be applied in reverse but can't think of any exsmples.

    Sent u a pm

Reply
  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    Why do you feel guilty about it? I dont know your reasons for being veggie, but you are probably doing more and are more conscious of things than a lot of other people. I heard someone say on Gardeners World once in relation to encouraging wildlife that "anything is better than nothing, however small" and I think this is a good thing to apply to other areas not just gardening.

    I think we are meant to eat meat just not the amount of farmed meat that we do in this modern age but it's how we have evolved due to inventing farming methods. I was watching Ancient Britain on iplayer...it seemed ancient people who were hunter gatherers had an intrinsic relationship with nature and were part of it. I think people were thankful to the animal for providing for them and nothing would be wasted. 

    Have a Guinness and lots of leafy green veg!

    Also you said we struggle with things which other people find easy. I think this could also be applied in reverse but can't think of any exsmples.

    Sent u a pm

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