Published on 12, July, 2020
I (37f) went to see my GP today for a sick line. I am struggling with the demands of work at the moment. I am currently undertaking a private assessment for ASD after years of social difficulties and mental health issues. I asked the Dr while I was there if she would accept a private diagnosis. The (short) conversation ended in her saying if I had held down a job and a relationship I was not autistic.
This has absolutely baffled me and seems a bit short sighted! I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts?
Many GP are uninterested in, and quite misinformed about mental health. You just met one of them.
It seems like there are two opposite schools of thought: some people believe that all ASD are people that cannot leave their house, take a shower, or keep a job. Some people think that every ASD is a Maths or Computer Science genius with several PhDs. Both ideas are false.
I had a private diagnosis and it was sent to my GP. On it the psychiatrist who assessed me recommended a prescription for one of my comorbid problems, and my GP sent me the prescription with no delay.
Thank you very much for that. I have been quite anxious about a private diagnosis not being taken seriously but this is really helpful.
If you have any problem with acceptance of a privately funded diagnosis, refer your GP to the official NICE guidelines, where the criteria for adult autism diagnosis are stated. The guidelines merely say that the clinician or clinicians making the diagnosis need to be appropriately qualified. Nowhere does it mention anything about the origins of the funds used to pay for the assessment, or a requirement for it to be done by or through the NHS.
Thank you for your reply. It’s so disappointing to hear this and was a very hard thing to listen to from a GP. It also doesn’t fill me with confidence for a potential diagnosis being taken seriously.
No problem. Sadly, this seems to be the norm, not the exception.
Thank you for your reply. It is reassuring to hear that I am not the only one disheartened by this statement!
Having worked with and educated people with medical degrees, I know only too well that possession of medical qualifications does not render them immune from either stupidity or ignorance, even concerning medical matters.
Additionally, i would add some note on the 'support needs' scale that is used with autism, describing how it applies to you.
Hi, this is nothing more than another example of a GP who knows nothing about autism 'diagnosing'. it seems part of the task for any autistic person when dealing with GPs (or anyone really), is to educate them about autism first. It may be worth sending a polite email to you GP explaining that being in a relationship or holding down a job are not diagnostic criteria for autism. Perhaps you could include the criteria as listed in the DSM-V and a few notes for each on how they apply to you? There are great youtube videos explaining the criteria if that helps.