Published on 12, July, 2020
So basically I've just returned from my first appointment at my local community mental health centre after being referred by my GP.
I felt that the conversation I had when there was very broad and didn't really take into account any wider points, specifically more related to Asperger's. The majority of the question were about the social side of things, which I understand is obviously a big part of AS, but other characteristics affects me too and make life difficult.
All in all we spoke for only 15 to 20 minutes before she concluded I don't have AS, that I have social anxiety and depression and tried to pit me on a course of anti-depressants. She said she'd book me another appointment to see her in 3 months, and one to see a psychiatrist about the social anxiety. I declined the medication, not least because I'm not depressed, but also because I am put off by side effects and such.
I understand how social anxiety can be very closely related to AS, but I feel she didn't listen to or pay any attention to the other characteristics and such that are covered by the umbrella that is AS. Obviously some days I feel 'down' about things, but it's very far from being depressed and I feel as if they've just made an extremely quick decision in trying to offer me anti depressants before fully understanding everything.
Should I just continue and go to the appointment in 3 months, and the one with the psychiatrist, or should I go back to my GP and try and get referred to someone else who may pay more attention to me?
I probably should've mentioned, I'm 20.
Thanks for any advice/help :)
hey there dave
was this person a specialist in autism? do they have any credentials for it? have they diagnosed before ? how many times?
if the answer to these is no, then this person wasnt the right person to diagnose, or not diagnose you
a mental health proffessional isnt the right person IF they have no experience in autism , and only know what they have been told or see written down and decide you dont fit the critera
the only person who can properly diagnose you and take everything into account is a specialist in autism/aspergers/developmental disorders ,
these are not mental health issues they are biological ones, so it doesnt surprise me a mental health person cant diagnose or doesnt understand it
any person who says 'you socialise well,' doesnt understand autism and has no right to diagnose or not diagnose
you need to find an autistic centre or specialist near you, or if you need to travel to find one,
but they are the only people who can diagnose you,
you will probbaly get the run around for years from the 'mental health' system onthis issue, because they dont undrstand it and the think 'everyone thinks they have autism' so they might pass you off as that, (and having just read your other comment i can say that IS what it is, given that she spent more time trying to convince you not to go any further with this issue for various 'reasons')
talk to your gp about autism and a specialist in diagnosing it, another psycologist is fine IF they also have or are experienced in autism/developmental disorders
there is a procedure, you ask your gp to follow that, they send you to a specific person , psychology isnt the right area , it needs to be an autism specific appointment
having been asked to go to my partners diagnose appointments i know the specialists ask you a lot more than 'do you socialise', and you can discuss anything you feel is appropriate to the diagnosis, they ask your family/parent to go along and help understand your childhood, they way you are now etc
i can tell you they dont diagnose based on a 20 min interview, my partner saw them at least twice , once on his own, and then with us
go back to your gp, and ask for the procedure to diagnose autism, you dont want to 'see a 'psycholgist', you want to see someone who has experience with this issue and who diagnoses and follows the diagnostic procedure