How to go about requesting a referral from my GP?

Apologies if this isn’t the right place to ask for advice, but I hope I can get help one way or another.

I’m a 23 year old female and suffered from mental health issues (depression/low mood and anxiety) for over a decade. For a while, I’ve just wanted an answer, as in a proper diagnosis because the most I’ve received is therapy (currently on waiting list for a second time) and anti depressants. 

After some research, I believe that I may have autism. I’ve taken multiple tests where the results have shown I’m “likely” or “extremely likely” to have it. Without going into too much detail, in one of the tests I received a score of 40 out of 50, which seemed quite alarming to me.

I’d like to contact my GP and see if they think I need a referral, but just the thought of a self diagnosis makes me feel incredibly guilty. It sounds silly, but I have all these fears of wasting my GP’s time if they reject my request.

It all starts from calling the doctors where I’m required to state the reason for visiting my GP, but how do I go about the whole process? It’s difficult for me to phrase things, so any advice would be appreciated.

Parents
  • Requesting a Referral : 
    1. Visit Your Primary Care Physician. Your primary care physician will evaluate your concern and, if necessary, make a referral to a specialist.
    2. Verify Your Insurance and Referral Information. Contact your insurance company for referral requirements.
    3. Make an Appointment with the Specialist.
Reply
  • Requesting a Referral : 
    1. Visit Your Primary Care Physician. Your primary care physician will evaluate your concern and, if necessary, make a referral to a specialist.
    2. Verify Your Insurance and Referral Information. Contact your insurance company for referral requirements.
    3. Make an Appointment with the Specialist.
Children
  • It sounds like you're going through a lot, and seeking a proper diagnosis can be a difficult process. I can understand your feelings of guilt, but it is completely understandable for you to want an answer. The best thing to do would be to contact your GP and explain your situation. Say that you've done some research and have taken some tests which suggest you could have autism (if you feel comfortable doing so). You can also check out https://gpratings.uk to compare GP ratings and find the right doctor for you. I hope you are able to find out more, and that you can get the support you need. If you need any more advice, please don't hesitate to reach out. Sending you lots of good vibes!