Wanting to get an assessment at 40

I am growing increasingly convinced over the last 3 years or so that I may have Aspergers.

it is becoming more and more apparent to me and I just want to know if i have it because it would be a massive relief and help me to explain to people why I am the way I am especially when it comes to sticking to a routine and socialising being a major source of anxiety.

i am really just fed up with being misunderstood I do not have depression but I do have social and general anxiety and also at health anxiety.

i have hypersensitive hearing and sense of smell and touch. 

‘I really feel it’s time to get assessed as pushing myself into being more social or into doing things does not in any way improve my aversion to wanting to be around lots of people I feel it means I have whole lot of acting to do and things to think of to talk about. 

How do I prepare for an appointment with my GP to discuss this? 

Is there somewhere where it lists what things to mention or examples? 

Also should I be prepared to be told I’m just overreacting or being silly? As this concerning me. 

Many thanks for your time in reading 

Parents
  • I'm seeking a diagnosis in my mid-20s. If you struggle to communicate with your GP, write down the autistic traits you have. You can either use them as prompts or hand them to the GP if you're finding it difficult to talk through your points.

    My GP didn't seem to care whatsoever, but he handed me a phone number for the local mental health service (even though autism isn't a mental health condition!) and told me to self-refer. I went for my mental health assessment and the nurse was hugely understanding - he built-up a case for an autism referral based on what I'd said and he sent the referral through himself. He also got me a mental health referral for my anxiety and OCD.

    I'd recommend reading 'Odd girl out', which is an autobiography about a lady who was diagnosed in adult life. Purple Ella has some great YouTube videos too, including tips for seeking a diagnosis and taking care of yourself while you wait for an assessment.

    You're not overreacting or being silly - it's perfectly normal to want to get to know yourself better. Best of luck - I hope you get the answers you need.

  • Thank you I’ve been watching the Purple Ella videos since you recommended and they have a lot in them where I think, that’s happened to me. Especially about learning to drive. I could not manage to get coordination of the gears and other parts of driving so in the end I had to learn in an automatic. 

    I will form a list, imdid do a long explanation of why I thought I was and examples but looking at it I’ve missed out so many things, which are to do with sensory issues so I will add them in. 

Reply
  • Thank you I’ve been watching the Purple Ella videos since you recommended and they have a lot in them where I think, that’s happened to me. Especially about learning to drive. I could not manage to get coordination of the gears and other parts of driving so in the end I had to learn in an automatic. 

    I will form a list, imdid do a long explanation of why I thought I was and examples but looking at it I’ve missed out so many things, which are to do with sensory issues so I will add them in. 

Children