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help!

liloandstitchfan

Hi, 

I have a bit of a situation. Since I was young I have had Autism like symptoms. My aunt who is a Mental Health Nurse (head of her local mental health trust in the area of the country she lives in), has picked up on those traits and recommended that I get tested. After reading some information, I began noticing them myself. Around a year ago my mum finally took me to my GP and she told me that because of my age, I was 16 then 17 now, I would already know. However she did say that she would refer me on to the mental health specialists and see about getting me to see a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. A year on and still nothing! I don't know what to do. I don't want to be tested just for the sake of it, I don't want any benefits or anything of that sort, I just want to know if I have it. I have since moved to another part of the country, only a couple of weeks ago, I'm scared of going to see my new GP incase I'm fended off again or she says its something to do with my weight or something like that. I know I shouldn't be silly like that but I can't help it. 

Parents

  • Hi, don't believe the GP. Its a load of nonsense about you 'already knowing'.

    I was diagnosed aged 17 with Aspergers syndrome, and when I was getting evaluated by proffessionals (NOT my GP) a lot of things came to light in regards to my behaviour as a child.
    May I ask, are you female? Because if thats the case, females exhibit different autistic symptoms as the grow older, like myself. Its because we're hardwired to try and adapt socially whether we conciously recognise it or not. Because of my ability to 'get by' and because I got good marks throughout high school etc no one ever thought there was any reason for me to be assessed until I had a massive breakdown at home.

    Theres many reasons to get diagnosed asides from council benefits (I myself haven't applied because I feel at the moment I don't need outside help), most of which involves learning about yourself and different coping methods or techniques.
    The best way to get your GP to pay attention and not fob you off is to write down a list of your 'symptoms' and explain how they're affecting your life. Increased anxiety, issues communicating etc. That way it demonstrates how this potential condition -is- having an impact on your life and deserves to be investigated by a proffessional.

    Now be warned, CAMHs (Childrens and Adolescents Mental Health Society) usually has one heck of a long waiting list, so the earlier you get an appointment the better. If they book you in for an assessment its likely that you'll be asked to take a few simple tests, namely filling out some questionnaires and answering questions. No blood work or health check so don't worry.

    While getting a positive diagnosis is great initially (and long term), you should know that once the novelty of finally understanding why you act or think the way you do wears off, theres a high chance you may get a little down. This is because as much as a diagnosis helps, the realisation that you'll never fit in with the NT's is pretty hard to swallow, and you start questionning your actions, trying to decide whether you're doing something because its you or your ASD.

    During this time, its important to accept these feelings but also to look to the future. By getting a diagnosis you'll be able to access the help you need, or find strategies to help you in the future. Getting my diagnosis was hard at first, but since then I gained the courage to behave more like myself in public. I now go to uni, have a whole group of close friends I can rely on and feel confident enough to be independant.

    And look at it this way, even if you get an assessment and don't get diagnosed, there may be some 'traits' you need help with such as anxiety. You've got nothing to lose by asking for an appointment and everything to gain by going.

    Best of luck, I hope things work out for you.

Reply

  • Hi, don't believe the GP. Its a load of nonsense about you 'already knowing'.

    I was diagnosed aged 17 with Aspergers syndrome, and when I was getting evaluated by proffessionals (NOT my GP) a lot of things came to light in regards to my behaviour as a child.
    May I ask, are you female? Because if thats the case, females exhibit different autistic symptoms as the grow older, like myself. Its because we're hardwired to try and adapt socially whether we conciously recognise it or not. Because of my ability to 'get by' and because I got good marks throughout high school etc no one ever thought there was any reason for me to be assessed until I had a massive breakdown at home.

    Theres many reasons to get diagnosed asides from council benefits (I myself haven't applied because I feel at the moment I don't need outside help), most of which involves learning about yourself and different coping methods or techniques.
    The best way to get your GP to pay attention and not fob you off is to write down a list of your 'symptoms' and explain how they're affecting your life. Increased anxiety, issues communicating etc. That way it demonstrates how this potential condition -is- having an impact on your life and deserves to be investigated by a proffessional.

    Now be warned, CAMHs (Childrens and Adolescents Mental Health Society) usually has one heck of a long waiting list, so the earlier you get an appointment the better. If they book you in for an assessment its likely that you'll be asked to take a few simple tests, namely filling out some questionnaires and answering questions. No blood work or health check so don't worry.

    While getting a positive diagnosis is great initially (and long term), you should know that once the novelty of finally understanding why you act or think the way you do wears off, theres a high chance you may get a little down. This is because as much as a diagnosis helps, the realisation that you'll never fit in with the NT's is pretty hard to swallow, and you start questionning your actions, trying to decide whether you're doing something because its you or your ASD.

    During this time, its important to accept these feelings but also to look to the future. By getting a diagnosis you'll be able to access the help you need, or find strategies to help you in the future. Getting my diagnosis was hard at first, but since then I gained the courage to behave more like myself in public. I now go to uni, have a whole group of close friends I can rely on and feel confident enough to be independant.

    And look at it this way, even if you get an assessment and don't get diagnosed, there may be some 'traits' you need help with such as anxiety. You've got nothing to lose by asking for an appointment and everything to gain by going.

    Best of luck, I hope things work out for you.

Children
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