Struggling with work

Hi everyone,

I am writing this because I feel at a loss as to what to do and just want to feel understood. I am 28, have EUPD and was refused autism assessment by the NHS neurodiversity team because of this. It was very disheartening considering my only sibling is non verbal and autistic with a multitude of other things too. 

I’m struggling at work. I have fibromyalgia and have been on long sick leaves multiple times due to anxieties, mental and physical health but I honestly think a lot of it is burnout. I feel hopeless because this has happened in other jobs I’ve had too but never to this severe of a level. I literally just dont think I can cope anymore but I’m scared because of financial needs. I don’t know what to do to be able to support myself, but equally, I feel like no one around me fully understands what I mean when I say I honestly know I cannot maintain this any longer for my own sanity.

I hope someone understands what I mean, thank you for reading this

Parents
  • Sorry to hear you’re struggling. 

    I think you need to go back to your GP and ask for a new referral, maybe consider a referral via the right to choose process, so the GP should refer you directly to a provider you choose. You will need to find a provider though and make sure they offer referrals via right to choose. I would hope this means you don’t then have to go via the neurodiversity team. 

    An EUPD diagnosis shouldn’t be a reason to not accept a referral. There are many people with EUPD, including myself, who received an autism diagnosis. Maybe consider using the complaints process if you feel they are unfairly not accepting your referral using EUPD as the reason, as that is completely wrong. 

    For work, consider what reasonable adjustment would help you. Look at the areas you struggle with that is related to EUPD, autism and fibromyalgia, and what could be put in place to help you manage these struggles whilst at work. Maybe ask your manager for a referral to occupational health, they can help you consider some adjustments, but really it would be down to you to suggest what would work for you as you know you best. Think about what at work makes you anxious, and what could help alleviate that. You could also look at Access to work, they can offer mental health workplace support, and a grant for practical support. Something definitely you should look at. 

    I hope you also access to talking therapy via your GP as it sounds like you could benefit from some therapy or CBT

Reply
  • Sorry to hear you’re struggling. 

    I think you need to go back to your GP and ask for a new referral, maybe consider a referral via the right to choose process, so the GP should refer you directly to a provider you choose. You will need to find a provider though and make sure they offer referrals via right to choose. I would hope this means you don’t then have to go via the neurodiversity team. 

    An EUPD diagnosis shouldn’t be a reason to not accept a referral. There are many people with EUPD, including myself, who received an autism diagnosis. Maybe consider using the complaints process if you feel they are unfairly not accepting your referral using EUPD as the reason, as that is completely wrong. 

    For work, consider what reasonable adjustment would help you. Look at the areas you struggle with that is related to EUPD, autism and fibromyalgia, and what could be put in place to help you manage these struggles whilst at work. Maybe ask your manager for a referral to occupational health, they can help you consider some adjustments, but really it would be down to you to suggest what would work for you as you know you best. Think about what at work makes you anxious, and what could help alleviate that. You could also look at Access to work, they can offer mental health workplace support, and a grant for practical support. Something definitely you should look at. 

    I hope you also access to talking therapy via your GP as it sounds like you could benefit from some therapy or CBT

Children
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