• Replies 36 replies
  • Subscribers 87 subscribers
  • Views 5333 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

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.

Parents

  • The replies to your thread, like so many others on health are helping me enormously. I am so not freak of the century after all dealing with doctors. We need to campaign of more GP understanding generally. We have rights to health care too. Good luck with your appointment

  • in reply to Dawn

    I agree with this. I don’t feel there is enough understanding about how autism impacts on people’s ability to access health services. The life expectancy for people with autism is much lower - maybe this is partly why - because they are unable to access health services due to anxiety issues. When I was in hospital last year it my autistic traits made that experience so much more traumatic. The lights, the sounds, the sensory impact of treatment, the anxiety of being surrounded by people and interacting with people. Just horrendous and I’m still suffering PTSD symptoms as a result of my stay in hospital.

Reply
  • in reply to Dawn

    I agree with this. I don’t feel there is enough understanding about how autism impacts on people’s ability to access health services. The life expectancy for people with autism is much lower - maybe this is partly why - because they are unable to access health services due to anxiety issues. When I was in hospital last year it my autistic traits made that experience so much more traumatic. The lights, the sounds, the sensory impact of treatment, the anxiety of being surrounded by people and interacting with people. Just horrendous and I’m still suffering PTSD symptoms as a result of my stay in hospital.

Children
No Data