UK Locations

Hi all,

Late diagnosed AuDHD, life is a wreck as some of you can imagine - I attribute a lot of mess down to things beyond my control and highest on the list is poor support which is continuing post diagnosis - it's so bad I am using it as evidence for relocation and eventually taking legal action against my (current) local NHS trust, its having a very real effect on my ability to recover from burnout and after much deliberation I will be relocating with assistance or without (without is a matter of time due to current impulses and a lack of ADHD medication or support post confirmation) - I have approached local autism services for any information or advice on areas where there is better support and understanding but get generic replies much like what is spouted out when asking that artificial "intelligence".

So, first post here, where in the UK do you think is or have good knowledge on being a good location for a neurodivergent individuals?

Urban, suburban and rural all considered - please provide any information, testimony, links to services to support your opinion/knowledge     

Parents
  • First of all welcome!

    One piece of research that might be useful is whether a region allows for adult diagnosis at all? That tends to then effect services as if they don't diagnose anyone, they don't have a group to need to offer services to?

    Also I was thinking that bigger places like large towns/cities might have more budget for services? Certainly, that's my experience!

  • Hello Cinnabar_wing, thank you for your welcome and your reply.

    RE: adult diagnosis implications - something I hadn't considered affecting this, it is affecting a lot of other options which isn't enabling me to kick on and live my best life.

    You are on the right thinking with the towns and cities, I wonder if there are certain areas of the country earmarked for services where they have improved neurodivergent lives markedly? "AI" suggests Manchester and the surrounding areas with good transport links also, I have also considered Scotland and have contacted Number 6 at Edinburgh with the Scottish system being entirely different to England you are in control of the funding and support choices (as is my understanding) and that seems a bit overwhelming for someone who can't organise their own sock drawer!

    I would love to stabilize and get back to work in a supporting environment as I have a long way to go before the long sleep (with no surprises or foul play accounted for) and as I'm constantly reminded by people who don't want to help me - I need money!

    Apparently that solves everyone's problems.

  • Don't come to Scotland. Support services are hit and miss here. There are places but your main problem would be securing somewhere to live. Scotland has a housing crisis and you have to be here to have a chance of getting a flat because they vanish within a day or so of being advertised. The only way to get one is to ring up immediately it comes online and see the place the same day.

  • As has been the case with previous (mis)diagnosis they were only too accommodating with prescription drugs, I've had so many it's a wonder they're not asking me for blood donations for withdrawal clinics - I'm not putting too much hope on the ADHD medication as with some of the other medications they've not helped in the real sense, some being disgustingly negative and some have only masked symptoms made me feel more 'comfortable' in some ways and less overstimulated.

    I feel more lost than depressed as I'm used to going to the GP if something is wrong and being pointed in a direction and being helped and carrying on but this digitally remote practice, triaging system, diagnosis and my age has closed doors.

    When talking to some people post diagnosis they have asked me whether this or that is in place and that makes me think I should have had a lot more support and safeguarding that no one is following up on and leaving me in the meantime to mentally climb walls causing me further burnout but if I can get to some point of stabilization and am still facing issues with help then I will likely action the option of homelessness as the elements seem to be a lot easier to deal with than society.   

    Thank you Alexa and for your time!

  • Unfortunately upon diagnosis my GP have been more stonewall than open door,

    I suspect more GPs than we expect feel inadequate to deal with neurodivergence as there are no pills to throw our way. (Well, there's a little something that helps some cases of ADHD, but that's a whole other can of worms for various reasons.)  My ex-sister in law was a GP who loathed dealing with mental illness - and that was long before the current situation with neurodivergence. Thankfully, she's probably retired by now. 

    Yes, it's appalling that we have a society where lack of money badly disadvantages people in too many ways. In my opinion, it should be the other way around.and I admire the Scottish government for taxing incomes over £44000 more heavily than English does. But then, we have far fewer people with incomed over £44000. 

    Thank you for the reassurance that I didn't completely depress you. I was afraid I'd gone too far when you're facing so many difficulties. I hope things get better for you.

  • I really appreciate your insightful replies Alexa you've been more help than a lot of organisations I have contacted in the search for help on this, I am awaiting a needs assessment by my local council after having my assessments expedited due to circumstances I cannot share here - there was enough historical evidence for a swift diagnosis of both conditions when looked at by an MHP in less time than I've had some talking therapy sessions and following assessments confirmed it. Unfortunately upon diagnosis my GP have been more stonewall than open door, prior to diagnosis they were happy to deal with any appointment and chuck any old medication down my throat.

    I really hate this money aspect to society, it has become more of a means tested approach and put a value on human life that is eroding good values that hold communities together.

    There is no need for you to apologise you clearly have an understanding of the crux of the matter and society would be better off with more individuals like yourself.

Reply
  • I really appreciate your insightful replies Alexa you've been more help than a lot of organisations I have contacted in the search for help on this, I am awaiting a needs assessment by my local council after having my assessments expedited due to circumstances I cannot share here - there was enough historical evidence for a swift diagnosis of both conditions when looked at by an MHP in less time than I've had some talking therapy sessions and following assessments confirmed it. Unfortunately upon diagnosis my GP have been more stonewall than open door, prior to diagnosis they were happy to deal with any appointment and chuck any old medication down my throat.

    I really hate this money aspect to society, it has become more of a means tested approach and put a value on human life that is eroding good values that hold communities together.

    There is no need for you to apologise you clearly have an understanding of the crux of the matter and society would be better off with more individuals like yourself.

Children
  • As has been the case with previous (mis)diagnosis they were only too accommodating with prescription drugs, I've had so many it's a wonder they're not asking me for blood donations for withdrawal clinics - I'm not putting too much hope on the ADHD medication as with some of the other medications they've not helped in the real sense, some being disgustingly negative and some have only masked symptoms made me feel more 'comfortable' in some ways and less overstimulated.

    I feel more lost than depressed as I'm used to going to the GP if something is wrong and being pointed in a direction and being helped and carrying on but this digitally remote practice, triaging system, diagnosis and my age has closed doors.

    When talking to some people post diagnosis they have asked me whether this or that is in place and that makes me think I should have had a lot more support and safeguarding that no one is following up on and leaving me in the meantime to mentally climb walls causing me further burnout but if I can get to some point of stabilization and am still facing issues with help then I will likely action the option of homelessness as the elements seem to be a lot easier to deal with than society.   

    Thank you Alexa and for your time!

  • Unfortunately upon diagnosis my GP have been more stonewall than open door,

    I suspect more GPs than we expect feel inadequate to deal with neurodivergence as there are no pills to throw our way. (Well, there's a little something that helps some cases of ADHD, but that's a whole other can of worms for various reasons.)  My ex-sister in law was a GP who loathed dealing with mental illness - and that was long before the current situation with neurodivergence. Thankfully, she's probably retired by now. 

    Yes, it's appalling that we have a society where lack of money badly disadvantages people in too many ways. In my opinion, it should be the other way around.and I admire the Scottish government for taxing incomes over £44000 more heavily than English does. But then, we have far fewer people with incomed over £44000. 

    Thank you for the reassurance that I didn't completely depress you. I was afraid I'd gone too far when you're facing so many difficulties. I hope things get better for you.