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Referral Appointment (Clueless???)

BuddhaFish

Hey,

I'm currently self-diagnosed (found out about research into how females present differently than males about 18 months ago and basically all the symptoms clicked with me) but have recently made an appointment to try and get a referral.

  I literally have no idea what to ask/ say in my referral appointment. I'm a 19 year old girl and had no option other than to make an appointment with a male GP.

 Any help would be well appreciated!

  • Google....self referrals nhs autism

    You can refer yourself, and demand you see a different GP, it is your right!

  • So, the doctor was the most patronising person I've ever met. I took a list of symptoms, two tests I'd completed, and he wasn't the least bit interested.

     I told him it would be good if he could look at what I'd written down because it would explain it better than I could verbally, because I was very nervous. He ignored this completely.

     He told me I 'shouldn't look at the internet' because it makes people paranoid, and that I couldn't possibly be autistic because a) I would have been diagnosed as a child, and b) having talked to me for the last 3 minutes he could tell that I wasn't autistic because he's "treated autistic patients before" and he "knows what they're like and how they talk".

     He did refer me, but for an anxiety disorder. And not before questioning me extensively about my body image to try and refer me for an eating disorder. (Because obviously! I'm a woman, so that must be the root of all my problems!!!)

    Couldn't really respond because I was so angry/ confused. Just responded with lots of "Yes. No. Yes."

    Just got home, punched a wall lots, now have a swollen hand. Great stuff.

    Any thoughts?

  • You can refer yourself, should your GP not want to, and you can make him/her refer you.The law says so. I don't know the link, but a new bill of rights allows you to force your GP to refer you.

    I told my GP I scored high in a test for Autism, and she referred me isnstantaneously.

    It's the best thing you could ever possible do.

    The GP will agree with you. Lets us know how you get on. :)

  • Ok great thank you!! Kind of nervous about it but will definitely take a big ol' list, haha.... Might be able to take a friend with me but I'd maybe rather go alone to the initial appointment.

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi BuddhaFish

    Agree with AngelWings, be honest, take someone with you if they can help communicate your problems. One of the Catch 22 problems is that if you have difficulties in communicating then it is difficult to communicate that problem to the doctor.

    I would also recommend that you try and explain separately

    a) the problems that the condition causes you - e.g. anxiety, depression or difficulties in interviews or in your education or employment or family life

    b) the symptoms you have that cause the difficulties that you suffer.

    The GP may not respond if you just say that you have ASD but can't demonstrate how this is a major problem.

    I would also take the free test at aspergerstest.net/.../ If this shows a significantly high score then you can tell the doctor about it and what it means.

    Also, it can be good to write down the things that you want to say and take the list with you - give it to the doctor - it can help the conversation by prompting the things that you need to talk about.

    :-)

  • Hi BuddhaFish. 

    Just be be honest with them about how you feel, what you struggle with. 

    And ask them if they can refer you. 

    Is there anyone you can take with you? 

    Good luck 

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