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Will a GP accept a diagnosis from Psychiatrist?

Charlee

Hi, I have been under a psychiatrist for many years due to my mental health. I recently scored 44/50 in the Autism assessment and due to that and her knowledge of me and my needs she has diagnosed me as having Autism. We decided not to go for the full 3 hour assessment as I am estranged from my family and so can't take anyone form my childhood to give evidence of the needs I had back then. I also don't require any additional support in a way as I am not working etc. It feels too overwhelming to go through a massive assessment with people I don't know. I was wondering if you think my GP will agree to give me a diagnosis based on the report from my psychiatrist as there are some local support group activities like cooking skills and money management etc that we feel would be really beneficial to me but I need to have Autism as a diagnosis on my file. Thanks :) 

  • in reply to Catlover

    Yes you are right. My psychiatrist can say she strongly believes I have it and the score on my autism questionnaire backs that up but as my doctor said today, he is happy to take her recommendation that I may have it but it can’t be an official diagnosis so I have decided to go on the waiting list for a referral but who knows how long that will take!

  • I could be wrong, but you need to have gone through an assessment to show you have autism and get a diagnosis. Your psychiatrist can tell your gp that they think you have it, and your gp may put a note on your record, but they won’t say that you have a diagnosis. And some (not all)  services require a diagnosis in order to provide you support.

  • Thanks everyone. Update is that although my GP is very supportive, I have decided I will go down the route of getting an official diagnosis. Just hope the waiting time isn’t too long on the NHS. Here in Portsmouth the waiting times are horrendous for anything :( 

  • in reply to NAS84712

    I guess it depends whether you are happy to remain self diagnosed or whether you want to go for the whole assessment. The waiting list on NHS for adults can be up to two years at the moment which is a long time :(

  • in reply to NAS84712

    I saw my Psychiatrist and she mentioned that the 'official' test is done by two health professionals, they like to have your family with you who can share how you were as a child and any indications your family had seen then that could point to an Autism diagnosis. It's also about finding out about your day to day needs and whether there is certain support you need in terms of getting employment etc. Basically that's the official way to get a diagnosis but I have seen my psychiatrist every month for 4 years and so she knows me. I did the questionnaire with her and then went to see her for a consultation and she has written to my gp on my behalf. Going for the 'official' assessment would feel too much and as i say I am estranged from my family so have no one to take who can give evidence from my childhood x

  • My doctor is sending me to another psychiatrist for my consultation. I scored 50/50 on the referral nation test that was done through my doctor. I am already under the usual psychiatrist for 18 months. I did see him previously 6 years ago for a diagnosis. Now i'm having to wait months to see another psychiatrist in an adult ADHD and Autism clinic. They even tried getting me in somewhere and couldn't. There's a new system from the government put in to place now for consultations on this. The adult ADHD and Autism clinic as said i am priority since this new system as been introduced. I still have to wait months can be up to 2 years for a psychiatric assessment.  I don't know why my doctor hasn't sent me to the psychiatrist i'm under now. It would cut out the waiting list time and i may of been able to be treated for it. I am unable to understand this. I know there must be a good reason why they haven't. I trust them that what they tell me is the truth. The psychiatrist nurse that's seeing me has worked with children with ADHD and Autism and Tourette's. They wont commit themselves to saying i have it though as indicated to me a couple of times i am showing signs of it.

    I wont be able to go through the 3 hour assessment either. I've not been told about this. I'm going to have to mention this to my doctor. What tests will they be doing in a 3 hour consultation. Oh boy!