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GP consultation following diagnosis

illustrated.lady

Hello!

I got diagnosed by Psychiatry UK around 6 weeks ago and I got the report last Sunday. I got a call from my GP surgery today to book me in for a phone consultation to discuss the letter with my GP.

I was really surprised as I assumed they would just file it away. I'm not really sure what to expect from the conversation as I know there aren't really any services for autistic adults in my area.

Has anyone had similar from their GP surgery? 

  • I think it's really good your GP is contacting you. Hopefully it'll give you an opportunity to talk about what would help you when you need to access health care.

    My GP surgery just added the info to my notes and that was it.

  • Congrats on your diagnosis !

    Well done for getting a response from your GP, took my own diagnosis in to the Docs 4 months ago, never heard anything.  Have since self-referred to Talking Therapies - although they seem equally inefficient - around 3 months wait until 1st 30 min call (next month), which is the 3rd appointment booked and I expect they'll find an excuse to cancel last minute again. 

    Hope your appointment goes well.  Be interesting to hear, what support you get offered 

  • Congratulations on your diagnosis and welcome to the community!

    I think it’s wonderful that your GP has contacted you about this. (It's no less than they should be doing, but it didn’t happen in my case). 

    If your assessment report follows a similar format to my own from Psychiatry UK, then you might find some information within it about what, specifically, to expect from this upcoming call with your GP.

    The first part of my report included a list of suggested actions for my GP. Just as an example - because yours may differ - mine included asking my GP to: make referrals for therapy (of different types) and arrange a needs assessment. It also included medication suggestions for some of my co-occurring conditions.

    Whether a diagnosis has been made through Psychiatry UK or any another provider, therapy (or counselling) is often recommended after a diagnosis, and so might well be included among the things for your GP to arrange.

    In anticipation of that, you might find it helpful to borrow or buy this book. It includes discussion of various types of therapy and counselling, together with advice on choosing the right therapist or counsellor - all from an autistic person's viewpoint. Several of us here have found it very helpful:

    The Autistic Survival Guide to Therapy

    More generally, you might also find it helpful to read through the NAS’s articles focused on "after diagnosis":

    NAS - How you might feel after a diagnosis

    NAS - Other advice covering post-diagnosis including:

    • Talking about and disclosing your autism diagnosis
    • Emotional support for family members after a diagnosis
    • Formal support following an autism diagnosis
    • What can I do if formal support is not offered or is not enough

    The formal support article, for example, includes details of your entitlement to a post-diagnosis personalised support plan, along with details of how to request one if it's not provided.

    I hope some of this is helpful, and wish you all the best with the next steps on your journey.