GP would not refer me for a diagnosis

Thanks

i will maybe do that

I think it's good they are calling you back though. It seems you will have time to prepare something

When I went to see my gp I printed off my results on my 50 questions test and showed I had used a reputable site with proper questions not one that was “answer questions and win a prize” or summit stupid . The problem is there is a section of society that prey on convincing people they have a mental issue and ram said propaganda in their faces and some people end up pursuing a false diagnosis. When someone such as yourself genuinely pursues a diagnosis the gp’s seem to think it’s someone wasting their time looking for an easy answer to their problems. Hence I took a copy of my results to my gp. I appreciate current circumstances are restrictive in  doing this so would it be worth doing one maybe two tests, printing them off and sending them to your gp? 

Yes that sounds similar in a way to my experience today - disinterest and trying to get me off the phone to move on to the next appointment. Felt quite gutted really after. But at least feel better after sharing and support on here.

Hi there , I had a situation today where I tried to talk to the doctor, I rang last week to try and make an appointment because of COVID restrictions I had to wait for a call back, they finally rang  today, but caught me of guard I just finished work, so I was trying to explain over the phone which isn’t easy for me prefer face to face, they were very unhelpful, basically saying if I don’t give a good enough  reason we can’t refer you, so asked for another call back tomorrow so I can prepare notes, this was very off Putting, they sounded very uninterested and just wanted to work.

I’m married, can add, speak, punctuate, cook, drive, have an 8 yr old daughter, worked since 14 part time full time 18, work with heavy equipment etc etc... I went to my gp having scored 44 out of 50, got given nhs screening tests to which I completed and returned and got referred to a specialist and diagnosed with a score of 182 when the cut off was 65 ( I think). 
Met every criteria and some. Yet everyone says you don’t seem autistic... 

Trouble with General Practitioners is they’re exactly that. You know yourself better than anyone else. Is it beneficial to go private, with such a high price tag to be told what you already know? 

I can’t imagine anyone wishing or wanting to have this lifelong curse, so the usual dismissive comments from a GP are worthless.

Hoping you get the proper advice,  that like most of us has been lacking or non existent. 

Yes

that all makes sense and thanks

I am glad there are others that can relate to these issues 

Yes, I can only chime in to echo what others have already said.  It seems that the GP has had little to no recent autism training as none of the things mentioned would preclude an autism diagnosis.  

I would either change GP or, as you've decided, opt to go privately.  My own anxiety was always off the scale but, until very recently, treated as an entirely separate thing and nobody ever mentioned the possibility of autism to me.  But now I've been assessed as being autistic it feels as though I have a unifying theory which covers all the difficulties I've experienced over the years.  It also gives me an important sense of identity, self acceptance and the knowledge to at least look in the right direction for information and support.  So I'd say that, though expensive, just knowing, feeling validated and going on to increase your understanding can be invaluable.  

Thanks so much guys for your support and yes it seems they dont realise what seems a normal life has been difficult and painful to maintain and years of avoiding situations masking etc

Sorry to hear this. I think everyone will agree that this is absolute nonsense.  As everyone else is saying, ask to see another GP or another health professional for a referral. You cannot be denied a referral for a medical investigation unless their is strong evidence you do not require it. And a lack of specialist knowledge about a condition is not strong evidence.

What health professionals do not, in general. appreciate, is the cost in anxiety, exhaustion and distress that an autistic person undergoes in order to function in society. A cost that is paid constantly, over years and decades. I am autistic and have written scientific research papers, lectured to large audiences and been a married for 25 years. 

It's like a GP saying to a Paralympic athlete that they cannot be an amputee, because they ran the 100 metres. Totally ridiculous.

Hi, I would say your going the right way with the private diagnosis.

I did the same, and it was as expected confirmed AS.

I suppose you can understand the doctors in a way, you like me appear to be living a normal life. Why waste valuable resources on us.

Unfortunately they don't know what it's like living with this and going through the daily lifelong turmoil that we do

A GP's Guide to Adults with Asperger's Syndrome

https://www.dashswindon.com/Downloads/GP%20Guide%20to%20Adults%20with%20Aspergers%20Syndrome%20Ver2.pdf

Ok thanks - I will possibly look into those avenues.

You absolutely need a second opinion. If you are in UK and have AskMyGP, try this and ask for another doctor. Send all symptoms/behaviours in a message and ask for a referral. Also, say you would like to speak to an Autism specialist, not a GP. 

I would also complain about the GP since he is not a professional when it comes to Autism and shouldn't be making those decisions