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Advocating for myself at the GP

Glizbeth

Hi again! Purple heart

I was wondering how to go about addressing my issues with the GP because I have troubles expressing myself when at the GP or in public.(Obviously missed out on developing social skills as a teen lol)
Don't want to come off as a know-it-all but at this rate if I don't do anything my situation might get worst. 

It's kind of an ongoing issue since I've always felt like I wasn't listened to and just fobbed off with solutions/meds that were more of a waste of time than doing much good towards my issue.(Being in a minority group in a few aspects really doesn't help either.)

Any tips on how to do it? I just feel like I'm not doing something right.

I've tried writing stuff down for my GP and it ended in getting me referred to my local mental health services. (Basically a waste of time for both me and whoever has to see me.)
And bringing family members with me to appointments but that didn't work either.(They don't know much about my issues. I normally have to educate them on it.)

I'm considering just being blunt and just be more proactive about it since being mismanaged has been a common theme in my healthcare.(Genuinely frustrated and exhausted with the situation.)

Parents

  • Yep, I have a similar issues. I find writing down what I want to ask helps that I want and then looking down at my notepad and taking notes on what they say. This helps me ask all I need to and write down my questions as I'm asked. I'm not sure if that is what you mean by writing down for your GP? but i think it is different cos my GP does not see what is written on my notebook, it's just cues and notes to help me not get lost when I am trying to say something. I think also reminding them of your autism. I beleive there is an autism passport on here to help your doc get your specific needs. Perhaps that will help? I can't use this as I am not yet diagnosed

    I must admit it is very hard in the 10mins you get after you've waited 7 weeks or so for an appointment. I have one coming up next week. I think it also helps to sort of be your own GP, in other words to have some idea of what the issue is and what you want done eg I think I'm anemic ... what the symptoms you have are... please do a blood test  and stay open to it being something else. Insist on a follow up appointment if it's something that needs that. 

    My practice has an online triage system before you can even have an appointment and while this is very annoying to fill out, it does give you and oportunity to write your symptoms and what you want before the appointment. If you have that it may help to use it. 

Reply

  • Yep, I have a similar issues. I find writing down what I want to ask helps that I want and then looking down at my notepad and taking notes on what they say. This helps me ask all I need to and write down my questions as I'm asked. I'm not sure if that is what you mean by writing down for your GP? but i think it is different cos my GP does not see what is written on my notebook, it's just cues and notes to help me not get lost when I am trying to say something. I think also reminding them of your autism. I beleive there is an autism passport on here to help your doc get your specific needs. Perhaps that will help? I can't use this as I am not yet diagnosed

    I must admit it is very hard in the 10mins you get after you've waited 7 weeks or so for an appointment. I have one coming up next week. I think it also helps to sort of be your own GP, in other words to have some idea of what the issue is and what you want done eg I think I'm anemic ... what the symptoms you have are... please do a blood test  and stay open to it being something else. Insist on a follow up appointment if it's something that needs that. 

    My practice has an online triage system before you can even have an appointment and while this is very annoying to fill out, it does give you and oportunity to write your symptoms and what you want before the appointment. If you have that it may help to use it. 

Children
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