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GP sucks, thinks I'm just fishing for a label

Mickey

I finally went to the gp to ask for a referral for an assessment today (I'm 20). it took this long because I have severe anxiety around things like having to phone and make appointments and talking to people I don't know (this was my 2nd ever appointment that I didn't bring my mum to). Doctor was super dismissive of my symptoms (despite fitting all the major ones on the NHS adult autism signs list) and basically just said I can't be autistic because I wasn't diagnosed as a child, and that teachers would have looked into it if my mum didn't want to, So I actually just have an anxiety disorder. I do have anxiety but some of it is clearly linked to my autism. 

luckily he agreed to still refer me so a specialist can make the decision. my mum agrees with me that he was probably only looking for the signs in young boys, but he even brought up specific signs that autistic people have, and cut me off when I tried to correct him because I literally have those signs (no eye contact and such). 

just feeling really let down by all this now cos I thought I'd found a good doctor but now I'm worried about going back for any other health problems cos I feel like he doesn't actually listen to me.

Parents

  • Okay thats sucks, but here is some advice from someone who has battle the system and is now advocating for people on their behalf. 

    because the process in getting a general practitioner to take me seriously was horrible. For me it took over six years because of admistational errors and issues with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the general practitioner. 

    Be aware that their is often more than one organisation within the NHS that can diagnose you, If you have problem with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services if your under twenty five which general practitioner will often refer you too first you can also request to go out of area or to your areas adult autism services. You may also have access to private organisations that operate under the scheme called "NHS right to choose" which is free and often wait times are significantly shorter often around three months instead of the NHS two to three year waiting list.

    I advise you to find the location of everywhere that can possible diagnose you within your county or fifty mile radius of yourself  As general practitioner often do not have the knowledge or time to explore alternative options and will often feed patients with false information.Often lying to patients to avoid looking for alternatives. If you are told there are not other options i would be cautious.

    I have personally found that female general practitioners and general practitioners under the age of thirty five are more autism friendly & would avoid seeing an older male doctors as they are more likely to dismiss you or brush you off.

    Your county may have an autism or neurodivergent partnership which may have a website with list of organisations, advocates and support to help you through the diagnostic process and fight the dreaded general practitioners for you

    I would go online a fill out the Autism AQ test prior to seeing your general practitioner & gather supporting information from your  family, friends and teachers current or previous, A letter from each is acceptable. In this letter you will need them mention behaviours and concerns they had while you were growing up that may support you have autism. I would also personally write a list of of all autism related behaviours you believe you have.    .

    It's also very important to bring someone you trust with you to the appointment as the general practitioner is less likely to brush you off.

    It's also important to check on your referral as admistational errors have been known to occur where your general practitioner has forgotten to send the referral or to the wrong place or failed to fill out forms which lead to your referral being closed. i recomement harassing/checking into your doctor every two week until referral is accepted, Once referral is accepted by the organisation diagnosing you i would harass and call them every month so you are not lost in the administration system or referral closed for no interaction     

Reply

  • Okay thats sucks, but here is some advice from someone who has battle the system and is now advocating for people on their behalf. 

    because the process in getting a general practitioner to take me seriously was horrible. For me it took over six years because of admistational errors and issues with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the general practitioner. 

    Be aware that their is often more than one organisation within the NHS that can diagnose you, If you have problem with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services if your under twenty five which general practitioner will often refer you too first you can also request to go out of area or to your areas adult autism services. You may also have access to private organisations that operate under the scheme called "NHS right to choose" which is free and often wait times are significantly shorter often around three months instead of the NHS two to three year waiting list.

    I advise you to find the location of everywhere that can possible diagnose you within your county or fifty mile radius of yourself  As general practitioner often do not have the knowledge or time to explore alternative options and will often feed patients with false information.Often lying to patients to avoid looking for alternatives. If you are told there are not other options i would be cautious.

    I have personally found that female general practitioners and general practitioners under the age of thirty five are more autism friendly & would avoid seeing an older male doctors as they are more likely to dismiss you or brush you off.

    Your county may have an autism or neurodivergent partnership which may have a website with list of organisations, advocates and support to help you through the diagnostic process and fight the dreaded general practitioners for you

    I would go online a fill out the Autism AQ test prior to seeing your general practitioner & gather supporting information from your  family, friends and teachers current or previous, A letter from each is acceptable. In this letter you will need them mention behaviours and concerns they had while you were growing up that may support you have autism. I would also personally write a list of of all autism related behaviours you believe you have.    .

    It's also very important to bring someone you trust with you to the appointment as the general practitioner is less likely to brush you off.

    It's also important to check on your referral as admistational errors have been known to occur where your general practitioner has forgotten to send the referral or to the wrong place or failed to fill out forms which lead to your referral being closed. i recomement harassing/checking into your doctor every two week until referral is accepted, Once referral is accepted by the organisation diagnosing you i would harass and call them every month so you are not lost in the administration system or referral closed for no interaction     

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