please help - diagnosis anxiety?

hello, i’m 16 and this is my first time doing anything like this but i really need some support with this. three years ago now, i had my first session with someone from cahms and it was suggested that i could possibly have asperger’s (i know autism is diagnosed generally now don’t worry) and i was put in for an assessment. as i mentioned it has been three years now and i’ve only had an email saying it would take longer and my first attempt at fighting for help resulted in me being told i was quite far down on the waiting list. after it was first mentioned to me i did a little research and found i related to a lot of the symptoms people with autism were experiencing. many people have said to me that a diagnosis won’t do much but it means everything to me, i want that clarity, i want to be able to identify what could be wrong with me, i want to be able to identify what’s wrong so i can get the support i need say if i’m signing a form for uni or applying for a job. i feel so alone, i’ve been hesitating reaching incase i won’t be accepted because i haven’t been diagnosed yet and it’s really hard to talk about my feelings so i find it difficult to go into detail about how i feel with my parents. am i unfit for professional help? i don’t know how much more i can take of the waiting but i really need help and i don’t know where to start.

Parents
  • Waiting sucks, waiting over three years is ridiculous. I recommend talking to your GP about this. Bring up the fact that you're worried about 'aging out' and make sure to say you've been waiting 3 years already. After that continue pushing, maybe talk to your parents about contacting your local MP? I don't know what support you're getting at school but you should know that due to long waiting lists schools are supposed to assess your needs and provide for them despite not having a diagnosis so see if that works. 

    Other stuff you can look for in the meantime: I don't know where in the UK you are so I don't know what local stuff is available but Kooth is pretty good for practical support and a vent space. 

    There are plenty of charitable organisations which can provides various levels of counselling without going through CAMHS.

    Look at what your local Young Mind organisation offers, and your GP may be able to make further suggestions for stop gaps to offer some support in the meantime. A lot of stuff are behind a wall of diagnosis, but not everything is.  

Reply
  • Waiting sucks, waiting over three years is ridiculous. I recommend talking to your GP about this. Bring up the fact that you're worried about 'aging out' and make sure to say you've been waiting 3 years already. After that continue pushing, maybe talk to your parents about contacting your local MP? I don't know what support you're getting at school but you should know that due to long waiting lists schools are supposed to assess your needs and provide for them despite not having a diagnosis so see if that works. 

    Other stuff you can look for in the meantime: I don't know where in the UK you are so I don't know what local stuff is available but Kooth is pretty good for practical support and a vent space. 

    There are plenty of charitable organisations which can provides various levels of counselling without going through CAMHS.

    Look at what your local Young Mind organisation offers, and your GP may be able to make further suggestions for stop gaps to offer some support in the meantime. A lot of stuff are behind a wall of diagnosis, but not everything is.  

Children
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