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Upcoming mental health appointment

Goosey

So I've got an upcoming mental health appointment which is on Monday 6th Nov

I wish they would just do video calls like they did for a bit during the first lockdown especially when they know how distressed I get with face to face appointments.

And I've already made it clear how these appointments affect me but apparently they "have" to see me :-/ 

It feels more like they want to make things more difficult for me

Like there ask me why I'm not making eye contact "are there voices telling you not to make eye contact??"

NO! I have autism which they know but it feels like they try to catch me off guard and make me confess to something which isn't even true :( 

I wish there was autistic trained mental health professionals it would make things like this so much easier

Parents

  • Their questions about eye contact sound extremely concerning. There is such a lack of knowledge about autism in mental health services and it needs to change. If you stopped a random person in the street and asked them about autism they would probably mention lack of eye contact. It really is basic stuff!

    They should also be allowing reasonable adjustments and that includes offering appointments by video call if that works better for you. Why wouldn't they allow you do have the appointments in an environment where you are more comfortable and find it easier to speak, it makes no sense Unamused

    There is some good guidance on this website about requesting reasonable adjustments from mental health services:

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/seeking-help/asking-for-reasonable-adjustments

    On that page there is a link to this document, which your mental health 'professionals' would do well to read.

    https://s2.chorus-mk.thirdlight.com/file/24/asDKIN9as.klK7easFDsalAzTC/NAS-Good-Practice-Guide-A4.pdf

    Goosey said:
    NO! I have autism which they know but it feels like they try to catch me off guard and make me confess to something which isn't even true :( 

    Sadly that has been my experience in the past and my trust in mental health services has been completely destroyed. Rather than trying to help they look for 'evidence', which can and will be used against you Worried 

    They clearly do not understand autism but what is far worse is that they do not even try to understand.

    Goosey said:
    Personally I find this forum and going out walking much better for my mental health

    I absolutely agree. I no longer have any contact with them and those things are what works for me too.

  • in reply to Autonomistic

    I know right I thought the exact same thing!

    Not a lot of knowledge or understanding of autism and the eye contact thing is something you hear about all the time

    They know about my autism but a bit like my mum I feel they don't really believe it. I'm lucky to have my Dad as well because he gives me so much support and understanding x

    Autonomistic said:
    Sadly that has been my experience in the past and my trust in mental health services has been completely destroyed. Rather than trying to help they look for 'evidence', which can and will be used against you

    I am so sorry this has been your experience! Virtual hugs! X

    This is also quickly becoming my experience. I'm thinking soon I'll stop involvement with them because they aren't helping.

    I'm finally starting to feel better and more like my old self so if I can get rid of them and stick here and with NAS then I think it will be a lot better for me :) 

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  • in reply to Autonomistic

    I know right I thought the exact same thing!

    Not a lot of knowledge or understanding of autism and the eye contact thing is something you hear about all the time

    They know about my autism but a bit like my mum I feel they don't really believe it. I'm lucky to have my Dad as well because he gives me so much support and understanding x

    Autonomistic said:
    Sadly that has been my experience in the past and my trust in mental health services has been completely destroyed. Rather than trying to help they look for 'evidence', which can and will be used against you

    I am so sorry this has been your experience! Virtual hugs! X

    This is also quickly becoming my experience. I'm thinking soon I'll stop involvement with them because they aren't helping.

    I'm finally starting to feel better and more like my old self so if I can get rid of them and stick here and with NAS then I think it will be a lot better for me :) 

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