Talking to your GP about AS

As I understand from previous postings you already have the diagnosis. So you are concerned about what to ask for in a GP surgery.

Write down what things are real up front problems, but also think about each of these. GPs don't seem very well informed about AS, and some are too quick to offer pills, which may be unsuitable. For things like that you need a specialist. So have a think whether what you want is a referral rather than the GP offering a quick fix.

If you are having sensory overload all the time, and suffering from it, there is medication they can prescribe that reduces the impact - BUT it is a leveller and might subdue your responses to everythuing including your coping strategies.

Temple Grandin in "Thinking in Pictures" has a section "Believer in Biochemistry" She suffered hyperactivity and panic attacks and was prescribed Tofranil which resolved things for her. She goes on to discuss the medications. Tony Attwood in "The Complete Guide to Asperger Syndrome" has a section  on medication in his chapter on understanding and expression of emotions, in which he is cautious about drugs to reduce things like anger because what they do is reduce the energy that drives the reactions, but doesn't take away the underlying emotions.

If you only have sensory issues or anger or panic attacks some of the time, you might be wiser to avoid a medication that levels you off all day, but takes away a lot of enhusiasm and energy that might be doing you good. But I think you need specialist advice, so get the GP to refer you to an autism qualified specialist for medication.

Similarly with coping strategies or social difficulties, try to get a referral to someone with the expertise rather than just the GP thinking of a pill that might work.

As I understand from previous postings you already have the diagnosis. So you are concerned about what to ask for in a GP surgery.

Write down what things are real up front problems, but also think about each of these. GPs don't seem very well informed about AS, and some are too quick to offer pills, which may be unsuitable. For things like that you need a specialist. So have a think whether what you want is a referral rather than the GP offering a quick fix.

If you are having sensory overload all the time, and suffering from it, there is medication they can prescribe that reduces the impact - BUT it is a leveller and might subdue your responses to everythuing including your coping strategies.

Temple Grandin in "Thinking in Pictures" has a section "Believer in Biochemistry" She suffered hyperactivity and panic attacks and was prescribed Tofranil which resolved things for her. She goes on to discuss the medications. Tony Attwood in "The Complete Guide to Asperger Syndrome" has a section  on medication in his chapter on understanding and expression of emotions, in which he is cautious about drugs to reduce things like anger because what they do is reduce the energy that drives the reactions, but doesn't take away the underlying emotions.

If you only have sensory issues or anger or panic attacks some of the time, you might be wiser to avoid a medication that levels you off all day, but takes away a lot of enhusiasm and energy that might be doing you good. But I think you need specialist advice, so get the GP to refer you to an autism qualified specialist for medication.

Similarly with coping strategies or social difficulties, try to get a referral to someone with the expertise rather than just the GP thinking of a pill that might work.