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Should i have a psychiatrist?

AnneMargaret

Hi. I know of a few people who have Autism and also have a psychiatrist. I've seen one in the past but only when i have been admitted to mental hospital each time. But other people seem to have one. I'm not really fussed either way i just wondered if there was support i should be getting?

Thank you.

x

  • Thanks for reply. I only have support of my GP. I am waiting for social worker to assess me but there has been a massive mix up and faff about with that which has caused a lot of distress. I don't have anyone else supporting me which i find difficult. Oh i tell a lie i see a psychotherapist every few months but that is while i am waiting for social worker assessment, he will soon discharge me. I just feel like i have nobody when others round me thati know do have support.

  • It depends how you see your problems and what support you feel you need: medical or psychological. Psychiatrists prescribe  drugs for things like anxiety, depression etc, although your GP can do this too. I have some mental health issues, closely related to my AS, but I have chosen not to take drugs because I do not think I am ill or disordered and I prefer the psychological route, which would require a referral from your GP  (or a psychiatrist) to the mental health team. HOwever, through IAP (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) CBT can be given in the GP's surgery without having to see a psychiatrist.

    I do see a psychiatrist but only once every 3 to 4 months or so. I am under a Consultant psychiatrist at the mental health team, but I receive  no real support from the Psychiatrist. All they really do is keep my notes up to date and ask me the usual formal questions: 'are you sleeping all right', how is your mood blah blah. I don't understand why I need to see one, as all my support is delivered through the local Autism charity and through my psychologist and social worker. However, the psychiatrist does have to sign my incapacity benefit note whenever it needs to be renewed, so this is why I have to keep seeing one: a formality. My GP has refused to keep signing my Incapacity Benefit note because AS is a long term condition and apparently comes under psychiatry: a doctor has to sign the note, but I really don't understand why my social worker can't. We should surely be moving towards a social model of disability, not a medical model. I am not sick after all.