Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello
I am new to the Autistic community and i am looking for some advice.
I am a 42yr old Male and recently decided to get tested for autism as i have always struggled with social situations, anxiety, making friends and general interactions also i have never been in a relationship because i cant seem to connect to other people romantically as well. Also in therapy sessions due to anxiety/depression i struggle to engage as i struggle to verbalise what is wrong with me, i just end up making things up or agreeing with the therapist.
My GP agreed and I now have an appointment with Psychiatry UK for an assessment.
I am now starting to freak out about this appointment as i am terrible at explaining myself especially what i am feeling as well as how i am feeling, and i am not very good at communicating things about myself. Can someone tell me about these assessments? was it wise to go private to get assessed? Also i have heard it takes 3 or 4 sessions to get diagnosed but Psychiatry UK say they only offer one session.
I am worried that the time is not long enough to properly assess me and that i will be misdiagnosed. I am also worried that i have 'faked' being ok for so long that it will con the assessors, in some ways i am "normal" and in other ways i am not normal"
Apologies if this is hard to read like i say i struggle to say or write what is happening for me.
Thanks
Adam
I promise you that you will not con the assessors. I had exactly the same fear - at age 59 I had become so good at masking. They didn't miss a thing.
Its good to know the assessors took you seriously and that they saw through your masking.. I hope i have the same experience