Possible misdiagnosis of bipolar?

Hello.

There is a detailed article on the main website about Bipolar and Autism:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/mental-health/bipolar-disorder

Perhaps you could print the article and use two different colour pens or highlighter markers; then you could mark all the things mentioned which make sense (match your experience) in one colour and the things which don't make sense (you don't feel they match your experience) in a different colour. 

You could then see what you think about the outcome, and whether that could help focus your next conversation with your GP.

Two things struck me when thinking about your post:

- you and your partner suspect you might be Autistic - does your GP believe you meet the screening criteria to be considered for assessment around Autism?  (Your GP might mention screening tools - questionnaires - often referred to as AQ-10 or AQ-50 - for more information; please see the last link in my reply), and

- there is a sentence in the article which could be important for any Autistic person (in England) who also has a mental health situation being supported by the NHS:

"In England, there is statutory guidance for adults that states autistic people should have support adapted to their needs if they have a mental health condition."

If you are thinking about whether or not to seek an Autism assessment - this article may help refine your thoughts:

https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/diagnosis/before-diagnosis/deciding-whether-to-seek-an-autism-assessment

Thanks Dormouse this is very good advice!

Since my original post, I have visited a psychologist specialising in autism assessment, for an initial screening (private appointment), and have been told I show autistic traits in several of the diagnostic areas. I haven't gone any further with the process after that.

I haven't talked to my GP about it yet but am still mulling that over.

The main reason to get a diagnosis for me would be to correct the bipolar on my NHS medical record, however my parents are elderly and one has become disabled recently so I don't want to put them through the strain of providing info/interview for the assessment?

Thanks Dormouse this is very good advice!

Since my original post, I have visited a psychologist specialising in autism assessment, for an initial screening (private appointment), and have been told I show autistic traits in several of the diagnostic areas. I haven't gone any further with the process after that.

I haven't talked to my GP about it yet but am still mulling that over.

The main reason to get a diagnosis for me would be to correct the bipolar on my NHS medical record, however my parents are elderly and one has become disabled recently so I don't want to put them through the strain of providing info/interview for the assessment?

Thanks Dormouse much appreciated, I didn't know that my partner could be the "informant" instead of my elderly parents - my partner did go in with me to the "initial screening" I had and the psychologist found being able to ask them questions, very helpful.

If you are happy to do so; you could talk with your partner about the possibility of their being your "informant" instead of your elderly parents during an Autism assessment process (it is not uncommon among those of us assessed in later adult life).