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'Awaiting funding'...but for how long?

Stormfront

Greetings. I'm Stormfront, and I'm trying desperately to get a diagnosis of what the heck is wrong with me.I've been at University for about eleven years now, so my guess is high-functioning AS; however, I've been faced with a set of problems even before I get to a diagnosis stage. The local health authority runs a 'gateway' system whereby they try and get people sorted out for mental health needs by seeing a single non-expert (general MH nurse). They ask a very basic battery of questions to try and evaluate you (Are you suicidal? Really, are you? Can you describe how suicidal you might be feeling on a scale of one to ten? Are you sure you're not suicidal?)

I eventually blew off steam by mentioning I wasn't suicidal, but the questions might well make me homicadal, and did they care to try and evaluate that one? (They don't like jokes, much, either).

The final outcome is that they promised to get back in touch, and that was nearly a year ago. The only contact has been that they have sent a letter saying that they are awaiting more funding in order to get me to be seen by anyone. I'm not sure if it's worth trying to save up for a private diagnosis, or to try and pester my GP. Without a diagnosis, it's almost impossible to access any services. Can anyone offer advice as to where I go from here? I just don't know who to write to or call in order to sort things out.

Parents

  • It seems to be a postcode lottery, as they say for so many things. Some GPs and Health Teams will look for any other explanation plausible rather than address what's really affecting people.

    My GP thinks autism is something you grow out of. Therefore when I sought a diagnosis I was initially referred to a psychologist as delusional. He wont accept the diagnosis even now - not a major issue as I don't need his help, but if I did I'd have to go somewhere else.

    Before diagnisis the only help I got was being given relaxation tapes, assertiveness tapes etc.,  It is difficult to fathom how some health workers/GPs manage to qualify.

    Seems they would rather waste money on inappropriate actions than help people with the appropriate procedures.  And when awareness training is offered locally they're too busy to go along.... not that that's come from the local authority who think Aspergers is a learning disability.

Reply

  • It seems to be a postcode lottery, as they say for so many things. Some GPs and Health Teams will look for any other explanation plausible rather than address what's really affecting people.

    My GP thinks autism is something you grow out of. Therefore when I sought a diagnosis I was initially referred to a psychologist as delusional. He wont accept the diagnosis even now - not a major issue as I don't need his help, but if I did I'd have to go somewhere else.

    Before diagnisis the only help I got was being given relaxation tapes, assertiveness tapes etc.,  It is difficult to fathom how some health workers/GPs manage to qualify.

    Seems they would rather waste money on inappropriate actions than help people with the appropriate procedures.  And when awareness training is offered locally they're too busy to go along.... not that that's come from the local authority who think Aspergers is a learning disability.

Children
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