Published on 12, July, 2020
It’s coming up to the 1st anniversary of my diagnosis, so I thought it needed a thread.
Here are some pertinent facts.
Wait time from GP referral to diagnosis: 10 months (total)
Age at diagnosis: 60 years
Date of diagnosis: 2022
Method: private company via NHS
Health Authority/Company: Surrey and Borders/Harley Psychiatrists
Response upon diagnosis: positive – it gave me a context for why I’ve ‘failed’ at various stages during my life and a ‘get out of jail free card’ for choices I now make.
Feelings a year on: similar. I have a context for everything.
However, there are times when I do think about, if I was diagnosed earlier, or if I wasn’t autistic, how different my life might have been.
I wonder if others would like to share their diagnostic experiences, and if not diagnosed, whether + for how long on a waiting list (+ with which authority) or if you are self-identified.
We may be able to gather some interesting or useful data along the way
I wonder if others would like to share their diagnostic experiences,
Wait time to diagnosis: 2 weeks ( I went directly to an expensive but available company of psychiatrists)Age at diagnosis: 54 yearsDate of diagnosis: 2021Method: private companyHealth Authority/Company: Harley PsychiatristsResponse upon diagnosis: positive – it explained some behaviour that got me into some serious trouble and explained a lot about my choices in life so I knew more about what was driving me.Feelings a year on: neutral - it was very useful but I tend to look on it as an explanation for things. I have no regret for what could have been different or resentment about why it wasn't spotted before. It is all in the past and other than learning from it, it cannot be altered so I don't waste energy on it.I'm trying to turn it into a special interest so I can help myself and others as the absence of support concerns me.
Iain said:Harley Psychiatrists
Same as me, but mine was NHS via 'Solutions for Diagnostics'.
Thank you for sharing this.
I find the road others have travelled to get to this place very interesting.
Iain said:I knew more about what was driving me.
A good point.