Struggling friend

Hello there Arty,

I’m glad that you have come here for help, that shows that you are a very caring friend. I have a couple ideas, but I’m not sure they will work in your case:

1. It sounds like your friend could use some therapy. If he were to do so, it could teach him better coping strategies and give him an outlet to release some of his worries and stress. Unfortunately I understand he probably wouldn’t be very receptive to this advice given what you have shared with us, but I think that would be one of the most beneficial things for him.

2. You could recommend he join this forum. Getting to know other Autists might be beneficial for him. There seems to be a number of people here who are similarly unsatisfied with the NHS system (I personally know nothing else about NHS besides that, since I’m from the USA). That could reduce some of the burden on you to help him, as he could form a community that could also attempt to assist him.

I wish the best for both of you.

Thank you. I'm afraid my, and his experience have been completely frustrating in trying to get help on the NHS. 

Since he was a teenager he has had a history of poor care. Schools did spot difficulties but basically responded by excluding. His mother did not follow through on an initial (extremely clear recommendation for) Asperger's assessment in his late teens (she had that he's just bably behaved thing). A psychiatrist at that time seems to have fixated on sexuality and he believes subjected him to conversion therapy. 

He was wrongly diagnosed with borderline Personality Disorder at 20 but doing his own research aged 27 self recognised (he is very bright) the likely cause and asked NHS for assessment. "Yes" they said he qualified... in about two years! A friend paid for private assessment resulting in ADHD diagnosis and amphetamine prescription. He is on DLA but had to find £350 monthly for the service and wasn't eating properly. He was sectioned briefly because he didn't tell them he used cannabis to self medicate and that combined with amphetamines caused a psychotic break. It was unbelievably difficult to get the local First Response to act (the worst 2 months ever) - it took four people begging basically.

An initial diagnosis was organic psychosis, but later the medication was found to be the issue. The only good thing about it was he left with an NHS diagnosis of ADHD and Autism added. We thought that would help but since then it has been a totally frustrating 'pass the buck' experience. He is told that the Path team are not appropriate since he doesn't have organic psychosis. They referred him to the local mental health team (who have dealt with him before) who said he isn't an appropriate patient. Nothing since.

He would like to talk to a psychologist (he doesn't trust psychiatrists) but we just cant seem to get through the system. His GP seems unable to refer direct because the rules apparently require her to refer back to the PATH team who were given responsibility after the section. His past notes are always brought up, infuriating him, and we cannot seem to get them updated, or the past opinions expunged, and now he is almost completely unwilling to engage because he bitterly resents what he regards as mere opinion having 'tainted' his records. The lack of understanding is 'computer says no' stuff. A recent urgent dental issue was a total disaster. Despite flagging he needed empathetic treatment  it was brusque, rushed and impatient. He had a meltdown, fled hitting himself, and was left in tears on the pavement.

I paid for a private tooth extraction, pre-preparing the way with suggestions and guidance. Result - fantastic. The problem is this is expensive (£350 for that) and neither he nor I can afford many things outside the NHS.

Sorry. Going on a bit, but its been very tough and friends and partner just worry about the time and stress on me involved. I mask (LOL) with them - and him to a degree. Very tough. Thanks for listening though!

Thank you. I'm afraid my, and his experience have been completely frustrating in trying to get help on the NHS. 

Since he was a teenager he has had a history of poor care. Schools did spot difficulties but basically responded by excluding. His mother did not follow through on an initial (extremely clear recommendation for) Asperger's assessment in his late teens (she had that he's just bably behaved thing). A psychiatrist at that time seems to have fixated on sexuality and he believes subjected him to conversion therapy. 

He was wrongly diagnosed with borderline Personality Disorder at 20 but doing his own research aged 27 self recognised (he is very bright) the likely cause and asked NHS for assessment. "Yes" they said he qualified... in about two years! A friend paid for private assessment resulting in ADHD diagnosis and amphetamine prescription. He is on DLA but had to find £350 monthly for the service and wasn't eating properly. He was sectioned briefly because he didn't tell them he used cannabis to self medicate and that combined with amphetamines caused a psychotic break. It was unbelievably difficult to get the local First Response to act (the worst 2 months ever) - it took four people begging basically.

An initial diagnosis was organic psychosis, but later the medication was found to be the issue. The only good thing about it was he left with an NHS diagnosis of ADHD and Autism added. We thought that would help but since then it has been a totally frustrating 'pass the buck' experience. He is told that the Path team are not appropriate since he doesn't have organic psychosis. They referred him to the local mental health team (who have dealt with him before) who said he isn't an appropriate patient. Nothing since.

He would like to talk to a psychologist (he doesn't trust psychiatrists) but we just cant seem to get through the system. His GP seems unable to refer direct because the rules apparently require her to refer back to the PATH team who were given responsibility after the section. His past notes are always brought up, infuriating him, and we cannot seem to get them updated, or the past opinions expunged, and now he is almost completely unwilling to engage because he bitterly resents what he regards as mere opinion having 'tainted' his records. The lack of understanding is 'computer says no' stuff. A recent urgent dental issue was a total disaster. Despite flagging he needed empathetic treatment  it was brusque, rushed and impatient. He had a meltdown, fled hitting himself, and was left in tears on the pavement.

I paid for a private tooth extraction, pre-preparing the way with suggestions and guidance. Result - fantastic. The problem is this is expensive (£350 for that) and neither he nor I can afford many things outside the NHS.

Sorry. Going on a bit, but its been very tough and friends and partner just worry about the time and stress on me involved. I mask (LOL) with them - and him to a degree. Very tough. Thanks for listening though!

Wow yeah, that’s a bad history with NHS. I’m also sad to hear that amphetamine was a horrible experience, as that has been very helpful with my personal ADHD. That’s crazy that he can’t get in with a psychologist without so many hoops. However, if y’all can bear with it and get through the hardship, a psychologist might be a perfect match for him. I can’t say for sure, but maybe a psychologist would have enough authority to get rid of the erroneous previous entries?