Published on 12, July, 2020
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
After a few months of deliberation I finally took my Husband along for support to see my GP. Unfortunately he immediately dismissed my anxiety and all the examples I gave as being down to being emotionally neglected as a child. Whilst I did suffer emotional abuse by my parents I do not think this explains my hyper sensory issues, and anxiety and executive function issues. He told me I needed anti depressants and counselling. I refused the anti depressants as this is not what the problem is. I now am waiting for counselling but I dont really want to drag up all my painful memories , I want to work on how I am now and manage life better. I just knew I'd not be taken seriously
I'm really sorry to hear the doctor didn't take you seriously - mine didn't either and it was so frustrating. Hopefully, Deepthought's advice will help. You can also speak to your mental health assessor about getting a referral for autism; mine was able to refer me for an autism diagnosis as well as getting me on the waiting list for counselling.
Doodles14 said:After a few months of deliberation I finally took my Husband along for support to see my GP. Unfortunately he immediately dismissed my anxiety and all the examples I gave as being down to being emotionally neglected as a child. Whilst I did suffer emotional abuse by my parents I do not think this explains my hyper sensory issues, and anxiety and executive function issues. He told me I needed anti depressants and counselling. I refused the anti depressants as this is not what the problem is. I now am waiting for counselling but I dont really want to drag up all my painful memories , I want to work on how I am now and manage life better. I just knew I'd not be taken seriously
Normally in the first instance I advise people to get the adult autism diagnosis information pack from the NAS (by telephoning 0808 800 4104, then following the recorded instructions to leave one's name and address, with the pack being delivered in about a couple of weeks) which is what I did (back in 2013) and many others have done as it tells you what you need to know and do in terms of seeking for an autism assessment; legal rights and all that.
In my case once the information pack had been received ~ I prepared a written document with an introductory letter asking for an assessment involving the supporting evidence underlined (1.), ticked and scored (2.), and left accordingly (3.) as follows:
1.) The sensory world of autism
2.) WIRED Take The AQ Test
3.) Diagnosis: the process for adults
For further evidence as seems more perhaps these days to be required, consider everything that applies also from this lot:
Autism Research Center Downloadable Tests
In my case when I first tried to see about getting an assessment for Asperger's Syndrome (AS)~ it was in 2007 with a psychologist who just did one of those 'Oh my life not another one!' eye rolls and ignored me whilst I went through the AQ50 test and nothing more was said thereafter on the topic involving that psychologist.
Then in 2012 after describing all my hypersensitivity problems with another psychologist regarding the possibility of AS ~ I was told that it was all very interesting but the treatment process being provided was a far more important consideration to follow. So I was ignored there also too.
After that I sent the assessment request document to my GP who totally agreed with me and referred me to be assessed for Asperger's Syndrome, which took a couple of goes funding wise, but eventually I got diagnosed with ASD in 2015.
So maybe try again but this time using the documentational approach with your GP, and if that fails go for a second opinion session perhaps with another GP or even also other mental health professionals too possibly ~ given that you have been referred to them regarding the generalzsed anxiety, which is normally treated on the NHS as follows:
www.nhs.uk/.../