• Replies 8 replies
  • Subscribers 33 subscribers
  • Views 1435 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Diagnosis

NAS77224

Hi all, I've just joined today.

I was wondering whether there are any other ways to try and get a diagnosis without going through my GP? My GP practice is doing the COVID thing in a big way and are not 'into' people contacting them asking to be referred to a specialist Autism person. It is literally only a couple of weeks or so that I stumbled upon Aspergers/Austism Spectrum; and me. A good mate of mine (who is autistic) said I should do some tests so I've done a couple.

Strangely, as a writer, everything seems to make sense now, more than it did before.

I've been struggling and denying since I was a child that maybe, just maybe I was on the Autism Spectrum.

Just wondering whether there are other ways to get a 'proper' diagnosis without going through the usual GP channels.

I'm unemployed and have been on and off for years because I cannot hack people -- at all, and, as for social things -- no way! can't hack any of these situations.

Job interviews? don't even go there. Every single one of them I blow my chances. It's not because I don't want the job, it's just the job hunting process, and the inevitable problems I encounter with interviewers. They don't have a clue, and maybe, nor do I. I have no idea what I should say, do, speak about, dress, act. It's utter hell. If there was hell on earth, than it would be for me at least, the interview process. 

I thought there was something 'wrong' with me, and been feeling this way for more years than I can remember. As a child I had several mental aberration 'events' too. Not proud of them but they just happened. Can't explain why or how.

Meltdowns? all the time! and with the COVID scenario, even more meltdowns. On the plus side, however, I am more than happy not to maintain any eye contact whatsoever. Wearing a mask? not a problem!

But Strangely, COVID has made my world a lot more difficult and hostile for me to navigate through. It has become more overwhelming than any other time in my life. It's just too much.

Before COVID, I could deal with (ish) overwhelming situations with a certain decorum and control. Now? Not at all.

Hope this community can help, and if so. Thank you all, in advance, for even just reading this -- sorry it's so long; an outpouring of raw emotion, I feel.

R

Parents

  • Hello, 7724,

    I recognise so much of what you're saying. I was assessed / diagnosed about two years ago, in my mid-sixties.

    After a lifetime of difficulties, anxiety, breakdows, meltdowns, shutdowns, and many many difficult years in the workplace, I finally made it through to retirement. The NHS had let me down repeatedly, I'd had no lasting support, no diagnosis that didn't include the word 'anxiety', and they'd prescribed me an array of benzodiazapines upon which I had become dependent, spendiing some months in treatment for 'prescribed' addiction.

    So, I needed a diagnosis, I had suspected ASD since I had discoverd that my very very secret repetative hand-movements had a name - Stimming. That got me researching which ultimately led me to where I am today. The NHS, as expected, were useless, so I went private. Expensive?, yes, Worth it?, oh boy, absolutely worth every penny. There is no treatment and no cure, but knowledge holds fantastic value. As I've posted elswhere on this forum; I now know who I am and understand great chunks of my formerly bewildering past.

    So, if you can find the money, GO PRIVATE, that is my advice, albeit totaly against my political principles.

    Look around locally, do your research, make enquiries. Somewhere on this NAS website there is long list of private practitioners which would be a good starting place.

    Take your time, don't rush it, you only want to do this once.

    Ben

  • in reply to Ben

    Hi Ben

    I feel that maybe I've found a place to share my thoughts with, with this forum.

    Isn't that interesting! I hadn't thought of my own 'secret' hand movements! When I am stressed (which seems to be pretty constant these days!) I do it really, really hard to the point where it actually hurts, then I think OMG! I've got to stop doing that! its been noticed once recently. Sometimes I don't even notice myself. Then I realise because I'm in so much pain. Not before I've realised though, that I can't write anymore, or moved the hand as it seems to have a mind of its own.

    Sometimes I wish I could change the world but I can't, but it doesn't stop me trying.

    Because I've been having so many problems with being sociable I've got an advisor who is trying to help me with my social dysfunctioning. There's two actually. We have a group called SEETEC here in Bournemouth. They are like an extension of the job centre and at least, they give me time to do the stuff I need to do.

    As an academic I am so much in an abstracted, social-less space, a place I call liminality. It is a survival strategy I think. I see pain around me and I just shut off, even though it really gets to me. I try and think my way through a situation carefully before I open my mouth, or before I write what could be construed as an 'undesirable' word or three. But sometimes I fail.

    I can't believe I made it to my 60th birthday yesterday! It seems odd, strange somehow.

    My writing journey started at a very early age, as did my drawing and painting. I don't do the art much these days but yes! to the writing. I love writing, it is the only thing that keeps me in a semblance of normality. Whilst writing hours just pass in a blink of an eye, and I think "Wow! its nighttime already!"

    Thank you Ben for your thoughtful words

    R

Reply
  • in reply to Ben

    Hi Ben

    I feel that maybe I've found a place to share my thoughts with, with this forum.

    Isn't that interesting! I hadn't thought of my own 'secret' hand movements! When I am stressed (which seems to be pretty constant these days!) I do it really, really hard to the point where it actually hurts, then I think OMG! I've got to stop doing that! its been noticed once recently. Sometimes I don't even notice myself. Then I realise because I'm in so much pain. Not before I've realised though, that I can't write anymore, or moved the hand as it seems to have a mind of its own.

    Sometimes I wish I could change the world but I can't, but it doesn't stop me trying.

    Because I've been having so many problems with being sociable I've got an advisor who is trying to help me with my social dysfunctioning. There's two actually. We have a group called SEETEC here in Bournemouth. They are like an extension of the job centre and at least, they give me time to do the stuff I need to do.

    As an academic I am so much in an abstracted, social-less space, a place I call liminality. It is a survival strategy I think. I see pain around me and I just shut off, even though it really gets to me. I try and think my way through a situation carefully before I open my mouth, or before I write what could be construed as an 'undesirable' word or three. But sometimes I fail.

    I can't believe I made it to my 60th birthday yesterday! It seems odd, strange somehow.

    My writing journey started at a very early age, as did my drawing and painting. I don't do the art much these days but yes! to the writing. I love writing, it is the only thing that keeps me in a semblance of normality. Whilst writing hours just pass in a blink of an eye, and I think "Wow! its nighttime already!"

    Thank you Ben for your thoughtful words

    R

Children