Deciding who/when to tell

Hey Purple, it is essential that they know.

My GPs were a mixed bag. The GP I had was awful, because they had no clue. The biggest problem I have due to my autism is accessing health care, given that the sensory problems had resulted in so much distress in medical situations, I thought I was going mad. Yet even when I needed to come with an advocate, they thought I should ring at 8. 

But, I changed practice for logistical reasons (they are building a new medical centre opposite my house) and they could not be nicer. They really wanted to know what the barriers to health care access and my medical phobias have been about all these years. They want to understand my autism. That makes all the difference. Of course there are a number of physical medical problems we are more prone to that others and any medication that acts on the neurology might not behave the same way for us. And of course so many of us have problems describing what's physically wrong, or just dealing with reception...it is essential that they know in order to adapt to your need and take that into account when investigating both MH and physical complaints and prescribing.

It is essential MH services know. Likewise, their response can be patchy depending upon their level of understanding, but many therapies designed for NTs have little benefit to us, or they may need to be heavily adapted because we do not think the same way, or communicate thought or emotion the same way or process feeling the same way as NTs. If they don't know they could end up treating you with inappropriate meds, inappropriate therapies, giving you inappropriate diagnoses, and totally misunderstanding your issues. Their understanding may be hit and miss, but there is no chance they will get it right if they don't get that you are autistic.

Our local CMHT are awful. But magically, my so called MH problem disappeared as soon as I knew I wasn't going mad, the problem was in my sensory system and very real all along. It's left me with some residual trauma, but otherwise I don't actually have any of the problems they'd misdiagnosed me with.

I would strongly recommend that even if you choose to tell no one else, you do give your GP and CMHT your diagnosis and profile report. If you are lucky and they are switched on it could change their approach for the better.

Good luck.

Hey Purple, it is essential that they know.

My GPs were a mixed bag. The GP I had was awful, because they had no clue. The biggest problem I have due to my autism is accessing health care, given that the sensory problems had resulted in so much distress in medical situations, I thought I was going mad. Yet even when I needed to come with an advocate, they thought I should ring at 8. 

But, I changed practice for logistical reasons (they are building a new medical centre opposite my house) and they could not be nicer. They really wanted to know what the barriers to health care access and my medical phobias have been about all these years. They want to understand my autism. That makes all the difference. Of course there are a number of physical medical problems we are more prone to that others and any medication that acts on the neurology might not behave the same way for us. And of course so many of us have problems describing what's physically wrong, or just dealing with reception...it is essential that they know in order to adapt to your need and take that into account when investigating both MH and physical complaints and prescribing.

It is essential MH services know. Likewise, their response can be patchy depending upon their level of understanding, but many therapies designed for NTs have little benefit to us, or they may need to be heavily adapted because we do not think the same way, or communicate thought or emotion the same way or process feeling the same way as NTs. If they don't know they could end up treating you with inappropriate meds, inappropriate therapies, giving you inappropriate diagnoses, and totally misunderstanding your issues. Their understanding may be hit and miss, but there is no chance they will get it right if they don't get that you are autistic.

Our local CMHT are awful. But magically, my so called MH problem disappeared as soon as I knew I wasn't going mad, the problem was in my sensory system and very real all along. It's left me with some residual trauma, but otherwise I don't actually have any of the problems they'd misdiagnosed me with.

I would strongly recommend that even if you choose to tell no one else, you do give your GP and CMHT your diagnosis and profile report. If you are lucky and they are switched on it could change their approach for the better.

Good luck.