Response to request for referral - from mental health team?

[Mary Lyn]

I got this letter today saying that a Community Nurse (MHSOP) will be coming next week to visit me in my home and a form to fill in, the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Health Well Being Scale.

I had said to my GP that my request was because of the incease in social phobia since my 46 year old daughter died this year and that I thought I was on the spectrum (aged 68) and would like a diagnosis.

Is this the normal procedure and what can I expect please? Or is it a mistaken referral.

 

[tree]

It sounds like the GP's focus is more on the
general mental health status, than with forwarding
an autism diagnosis, but it is a start.

Since you told him you feel more social phobia
they are doing a well being check up.

 

[Mary Lyn]

Thanks so l should keep the appointment do you think?

 

[Streetwise]

I got this letter today saying that a Community Nurse (MHSOP) will be coming next week to visit me in my home and a form to fill in, the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Health Well Being Scale.

I had said to my GP that my request was because of the incease in social phobia since my 46 year old daughter died this year and that I thought I was on the spectrum (aged 68) and would like a diagnosis.

Is this the normal procedure and what can I expect please? Or is it a mistaken referral.

I was referred by my GP to an autism diagnosis team but since then I've never heard of another one in the UK !I've never heard a Community nurse diagnosing somebody !
from what I gleaned from the doctor you have to have specific traits to be considered autistic !by the GP! ,at the time when I saw the doctor I was very distressed and I managed to answer one of his test questions !I didn't know he was diagnosing me for possible diagnosis by an autism team !

 

[tree]

@chocoholic

If you are interested in addressing the issue
of social phobia, this seems like a way to start.

But it's up to you.

Visiting nurses are generally easy to get along with,
in my experience.

 

[Mary Lyn]

I'm not bothered about trying any therapies for social phobia and definitely no drugs, and the GP agreed that CBT is unlikely to do much when l have had this problem since early childhood but never sought help. She tried to fob me off saying why bother for a diagnosis his late? I said that it would enable me to get support but did not mention help towards PIP which has been refused for my cfs.

 

[tree]

I think the GP is selling you short on whether
or not you could profit by any techniques you
could learn to apply to your own thinking in
order to reduce your social anxiety/phobias.

And that you are doing the same, as well.
That is up to you, however.

If you want an ASD diagnosis in order to claim benefits,
what other way do you know of to progress
toward that goal? This seems like a start.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

This can be quite standard for a CMHT to diagnose someone with autism. I first visit from my then care coordinator in the Early Intervention in Psychosis Service picked up that I was autistic pretty fast. A few psychiatrist appointments later and I was diagnosed with AS.

 

[Mary Lyn]

I'm not saying that therapies won't work. I just don't feel like investing in them when l have so little energy due to cfs and so much of my time is taken up in health care with plant based diet, getting in the sun, and trying l keep my home clean. Do a lot of research and study too. I'm highly unlikely to make friends at my age so why bother?

I might need diagnosis though to get help from social services as my executive functioning is getting worse.

Getting a diagnosis might get me a few extra points for pip. There is also a private service for doing an initial estimation in Nottingham l believe. Most of all though l would like to spend my remaining years feeling like a successful aspie rather than a failed person.

 

[Mary Lyn]

Very helpful SD thank you.

 

[Juliettaa]

As an aside, according to the DWP site, the cut off age for PIP is 65 years. As you said you're 68 in your opening post, perhaps you were turned down due to your age and not your health condition?

https://assets.publishing.service.g...a/file/180958/pip-briefing-people-over-65.pdf


As you're over 65 years, check out the rules for Attendance Allowance:- Attendance Allowance: Eligibility

 

[Mary Lyn]

Hi Juliettaa

I have transitioned from DLA for over 20 years and was refused PIP. No idea if I can put an AA claim in. That's interesting though I don't think they get mobility.

 

[Juliettaa]

There's no mobility element to attendance allowance as it's viewed that a person's mobility tends to decline with age.

One word of advice if you do wish to claim; if you have an advice agency nearby to where you live, like the CAB or similar, see if they can assist with your claim. Claims done by a third party usually have a higher success rate.

 

[Streetwise]

Hi Juliettaa

I have transitioned from DLA for over 20 years and was refused PIP. No idea if I can put an AA claim in. That's interesting though I don't think they get mobility.

CBT can be adapted for autism if you get a diagnosis The only problem with private diagnosis is the NHS are snooty about it ,so that would probably make it hard for you to get services.
There excuse is if you're privately diagnosed they are only agreeing with you because you are paying them .

 

[Streetwise]

Hi Juliettaa

I have transitioned from DLA for over 20 years and was refused PIP. No idea if I can put an AA claim in. That's interesting though I don't think they get mobility.

refusal by the DWP is them just breathing in and out you have to be dying not to be refused the first time .

 

[Mary Lyn]

I am in a Facebook support group and made a big mistake in listening to their advice on making the claim oneself based on the idea that cfs is so misunderstood, but l should have got someone to fill the form in for me. It is in for Mandatory Reconsideration but looks like itcwill go to Appeal though l can put in a new claim at anytime.

Does anyone here get a PIP and are there any tips?