NHS Right to Choose - Central East

And sorry for my negative vent - not particularly helpful other than to say prepare yourself that the waitlist may never start, or that they may never tell you that it woun't. That they've told you it has paused is a good sign though - if I ever get a diagnosis I'll be writing a few letters about my own case... (thinking MP and provider itself.) 

It’s ok, it was in response to my own negative vent - let it out. It seems to me like the system just doesn’t work at the moment. I’m finding it to be confusing and complex. Adding in uncertainty like this only goes to enhance the mental strain I already have.

I’m considering some sort of informal therapy or psychiatry to fill the gap between the formal diagnosis, so it’s interesting to hear you’ve gone down that route.

I hope that things improve for you. 

Thank you - tbh getting that letter (in reply to an email from me) from the psych at the CMHT was incredibly helpful, in that it was my turning point in saying 'I am autistic' (internally) rather than they think I might be autistic. I can live with that, and will even if my current RTC application fails like the local NHS ones did. 

The difficulty, as ever, was getting that Mental Health Assessment to put me in front of the psychs - the difficulty with the current mental health services here is getting in front of the right people... once I've had that my experience has been entirely positive.

Getting to that point took decades though - I understand it's at capacity but how crazy is it that within my area there is a professional capable of making a diagnosis, making it through a series of meetings (with three different psychiatrists) but then having to refer me on to formalise the diagnosis it as that department won't allow him to make it (because it would increase their capacity). 

And yes, uncertainty - I know that feeling all too well and it's really tough. One thing I was recently told was that self identification as Autistic opens doors to all the services, not that there are many, available locally. I was signposted to some services I could access despite being the the cue for formal diagnosis. I didn't take them up on them as didn't feel I need them, but in your case it may be helpful... if you are considering counselling for example, to find an ASD friendly one, or indeed to see what is available to you in terms of support and services. 

So yes, things definitely have improved here - I've no doubt it will ebb and flow but the knowing for me has been massive. I hope that my experience does not reflect yours, and that you get updates, communication and ultimately the diagnosis you are in line to receive.

And don't give up - I've had to stand really firm to get some of the above in place... embarrassingly so at times. 

Best wishes to you. 

Thank you - tbh getting that letter (in reply to an email from me) from the psych at the CMHT was incredibly helpful, in that it was my turning point in saying 'I am autistic' (internally) rather than they think I might be autistic. I can live with that, and will even if my current RTC application fails like the local NHS ones did. 

The difficulty, as ever, was getting that Mental Health Assessment to put me in front of the psychs - the difficulty with the current mental health services here is getting in front of the right people... once I've had that my experience has been entirely positive.

Getting to that point took decades though - I understand it's at capacity but how crazy is it that within my area there is a professional capable of making a diagnosis, making it through a series of meetings (with three different psychiatrists) but then having to refer me on to formalise the diagnosis it as that department won't allow him to make it (because it would increase their capacity). 

And yes, uncertainty - I know that feeling all too well and it's really tough. One thing I was recently told was that self identification as Autistic opens doors to all the services, not that there are many, available locally. I was signposted to some services I could access despite being the the cue for formal diagnosis. I didn't take them up on them as didn't feel I need them, but in your case it may be helpful... if you are considering counselling for example, to find an ASD friendly one, or indeed to see what is available to you in terms of support and services. 

So yes, things definitely have improved here - I've no doubt it will ebb and flow but the knowing for me has been massive. I hope that my experience does not reflect yours, and that you get updates, communication and ultimately the diagnosis you are in line to receive.

And don't give up - I've had to stand really firm to get some of the above in place... embarrassingly so at times. 

Best wishes to you.