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Adult private diagnosis without GP referral?

lemondifficult
over 10 years ago

Hi,

I'm a 28-year-old woman and I strongly believe I have high-functioning Asperger's - I was just wondering if anyone here had successfully obtained a private diagnosis of ASD without having to be referred by a GP? I'm in the North East but there doesn't seem to be anywhere offering this around here.

My reason for seeking a diagnosis is just to put the problems that I've had all my life into context - I'm not seeking any NHS help or any benefits.

I very much doubt I would get a referral from my GP (or any other doctor) as I'm sure it seems that outwardly I am 'coping' - I have a partner and a full-time job, and a range of (fake) social skills that I have been able to mimic from others, but this is all very much an act which is exhausting to perform every day. 

I also fully accept that my Aspergers is not causing me as many problems as it does for others, and this is another reason that I would feel uncomfortable taking up a space on an NHS diagnosis waiting list.

Many thanks in advance for your help :)

(PS - Yes I know I'm extremely lucky to be able to afford a private diagnosis - I'm only able to afford it because I was left a small amount of money when my alcoholic mother (who I believe also had AS) died last year. I'm certainly not rich by any means)

Parents
  • over 10 years ago

    I'm another one of those folks whose fooled the world, and myself to a degree, but are starting to see that asd puts much of my life into perspective. 

    Either a private or nhs assessment may help but I suspect that the person you really need to get an assessmnet from is yourself. By that I mean a sence of "knowing" or realisation of the person you are. It would be nice to have some form of formal confirmation but not as significant as your self assessment.

    I'm not trying to contradict the importance of formal assessments but rather to see the value that self assessment has to people who recognise asd when an adult. A wonderful sence of freedom and homecoming.

    Dunk

Reply
  • over 10 years ago

    I'm another one of those folks whose fooled the world, and myself to a degree, but are starting to see that asd puts much of my life into perspective. 

    Either a private or nhs assessment may help but I suspect that the person you really need to get an assessmnet from is yourself. By that I mean a sence of "knowing" or realisation of the person you are. It would be nice to have some form of formal confirmation but not as significant as your self assessment.

    I'm not trying to contradict the importance of formal assessments but rather to see the value that self assessment has to people who recognise asd when an adult. A wonderful sence of freedom and homecoming.

    Dunk

Children
  • over 6 years ago in reply to dunk-in-biscuit

    Hi Dunk

    i am happy (90%) with just self diagnosis....but I believe that a piece of paper might help others take on board who I am...some people seem to need a medical stamp rather than believe the person themselves...

    i believe that I know myself well enough, I have carried out lots of research and would take myself to be a well educated academic 

    it is a shame that there seems to be a post code as well as family support lottery out there..