Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
I have struggled with my mental health for decades. I had been diagnosed with treatment resistant depression as it seemed no amount of SSRI/ SNRI CBT etc was of any benefit. It wasn't until last year that a phycologist asked if anyone had discussed that I may be autistic, obviously I was a little surprised as I hadn't considered it (thinking back I shouldn't have been that surprised).
I'm now on the waiting list for a formal diagnosis (3-5 year waiting list).
After a bit of research and self discovery I'm of the opinion that I am indeed autistic and that a weight has become less of a burden.
I struggle with stress and it massively impacts my daily life. My GP has suggested that I go back into antidepressants but I'm very reluctant as I've never found them to be beneficial. I try mindfulness/meditation but I find it difficult to quieten/slow my mind. I've asked my GP about pregabalin but they will not prescribe it.
I'm feeling as I'm at a bit of an impasse.
Any suggestions or questions I could ask would be gratefully received.
I don't think making decisions about which psych meds to try is really something a GP should be doing. That stuff has always been handled by a psychiatrist for me (including pregabalin) and I can't imagine any GP I've had doing things differently. It'd be like a GP prescribing chemotherapy drugs instead of someone who's whole job revolves around that specialisation.
Is there any way to get a referral to a psychiatrist?
Hi, they aren't allowed to prescribe it directly but they are the first contact point. They have written to the phycology services who will assign me to a phycologist to get the ball rolling.