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 :)
So it's been a little while now but I've had a few appointments with a clinical psychologist who specialises in autism and AS in my area.
I've gone through the AQ, EQ, SQ and ADOS tests with her. She said I scored the maximum on the AQ, which she'd never seen before. I scored 2 on the EQ and I think 58 on the SQ, which is apparently more normal. I don't remember my score ont he ADOS, but it was over the threshold as she said.
As such she's diagnosed me as on the autism spectrum and having Asperger's Syndrome. She's in the process of writing up a written report so I can have a copy, but I'm relieved to finally have an answer to my questions.
The next step is what to do about therapy though. She says I need to have some goals to work towards, but my only real goal is to get a job in which I feel comfortable. She says that's too large a goal to have though and I need smaller goals but I don't know what to suggest.