• 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
  • 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

    Does that work for you? I tried that a few years ago when trying to access mental health support and was told that I simply wouldn't get any of I couldn't use a phone.

  • in reply to HP35

    I found surgery where I can book appointment online. I was there once so far to see my GP and I didn't have to speak to anybody except GP when I got there, It was to get referal for cancard. GP let me rant a bit just nodding when he was writing down referal

    Mental Health Support? What's that? Counselling? I fixate over bad memories enough to do it again when asked. Worst is when they think it will make you better if you make future plans, e.g. I'll have a job in 6 months. How's that supposed to work? 6 months later I still had no job despite trying, and only felt like a bigger failure agaion,

    I had enough dealing with MH after over 4 years battle to get fiagnosed. They managed to remove me from list at some point, while I was waiting unawares.

Reply
  • in reply to HP35

    I found surgery where I can book appointment online. I was there once so far to see my GP and I didn't have to speak to anybody except GP when I got there, It was to get referal for cancard. GP let me rant a bit just nodding when he was writing down referal

    Mental Health Support? What's that? Counselling? I fixate over bad memories enough to do it again when asked. Worst is when they think it will make you better if you make future plans, e.g. I'll have a job in 6 months. How's that supposed to work? 6 months later I still had no job despite trying, and only felt like a bigger failure agaion,

    I had enough dealing with MH after over 4 years battle to get fiagnosed. They managed to remove me from list at some point, while I was waiting unawares.

Children
No Data