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Need help when the NHS fails

Heretic

Hello all

I am a middle-aged man who is seeking a diagnosis of autism (it's a long story). Having spoken to my GP last year, I was sent to a psychologist, who referred me to CBT for 'anxiety' (with the usual long waits between each appointment). I got a strong impression that all three (GP, Psychologist and CBT therapist) just didn't want to hear the term 'Autism', despite significant indicators, and that I was not taken seriously - I suspect cost and a lack of local expertise is a major factor.

It seems that this route to diagnosis is unavailable as subsequent discussion with my GP got me nowhere; I am not sure where to turn next. Any help or advice would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

  • your very welcome, its what we are all here forLaughing

    I'm dissapointed that as your son is diagnosed they won't take you seriously (tho i am not surprised ) if your sons coordinater recognised it and your ex does then its obvious there is something there that needs to be looked at again,

    you might do well with a letter/support from your sons coordinator, it could push the psychologist to reconsider sending you for a test,

    as i said they are VERY pedantic about how you learn you might have something, they do not like internet research or 'i saw it on this show'

    you just have to say it to them how they like to hear it

    and they DO like proffessional letters/phone calls etc, so i really think try to get the cooridnator to give them something

    the problem i think is that they dont like all the new 'i have autism' people who because they saw a tv show and have been having problems with socialisng recently want a test, and your totally right because of that they dont want to hear about it, but im afraid they still have to do their job whether they want to or not, and if you have signs of autism, and have it in your family, then you deserve to be tested and have a right to do what you can to get it

  • Thanks for your replies.

     

    Thank you for your replies and for reading (or 'listening').

    My son is autistic (diagnosed) and it was this that first got me thinking that I may be too; as I read up on the subject, I ticked (nearly) all the boxes....I subsequently took the AQ (Cambridge Uni) test and scored highly. Independently of that, my son's Special Needs Coordinator recognised the characteristics during meetings I had with her and my (now ex-) girlfriend has a 25 year old son who is autistic and she also recognised the signs.

    Thus two people with good experience of autism plus a strong indication from the AQ test surely would be considered as reasonable evidence...

    ...not to mention my lifelong feeling of isolation, social awkwardness, and simply being different. My inability to maintain a romantic relationship, obsessive interest in a particular area, occasional irrational anger at seemingly minor events, hyper-sensitivity to bright light and sounds at certain frequencies, and I seem simply to think in a very different way to others...very able at analysis (cause and effect) but with a low emotional intelligence...as one of my (few) friends put it - scary smart.

  • hey there heretic, see a different gp, if its possible, if its not (which it should be, you will ust have to wait for about aweek or 2) then change gps practices and speak to them

    if neither of those seem or are avaliable, basically go back and pester the gp till he gives you the appointment you want, and make sure you make it clear this is about you looking to be tested for autism, which if you feel you might have you are entitled to get

    a psychologist isnt able to diagnose you so whether they  have expertise or not to understand it, you are entitled to be refered to someone who does if you show at least some of the signs of it

    they dont like the 'i read on the net' for some reason , so avoid saying that, just say i know someone who has it and i have thought about it and recognise some of that in myself and want to be sure, either way

  • This is a tricky one - feel sorry for you.  The diagnostic route is a difficult one at best, never mind when you are middle-aged.

    Is it worth trying The Priory? (get details from internet) - they are a private set-up so you would have to pay, but they cover every illness under the sun, and I understand they are quite good.

    Best of luck!