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Struggling with most things, totally confused

S

Simon rowlan

New Member
self diagnosed aspie but really would like professional assessment, would like to stop feeling like a freak, and I feel confirmation might help me see that I am actually a part of the human race, but just with slightly different wiring. I'm scared to go to my gp in case she says 'naaa, you're not aspergers, because I can hold a conversation with her about my medical issues, also I'm not an aspire who struggles to make eye contact by any means, I can look people straight in the eye. Many random people I mention my aspergers to, or even family members will often express doubts as I apparently seem 'normal' to them. They have no idea how much I'm struggling to actually hold a conversation with them. What should I say to my doctor? Please can somebody help me!!
 
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Hi Simon I think for me it's been useful to read a lot and Google and find information and ideas I ve done that for years and also online tests can be helpful indicators I ve done a big range of ghost. I don't know if I d be diagnosed as it can be hard in UK to get a diagnosis if you look like you are coping probably depends who you were to see. However I don't feel I need a diagnosis to acknowledge I have high autistic traits and a non neurotypical brain as I have understood over time that my internal experience is not neurotypical . There's plenty to read here and interesting threads and people are helpful informative and supportive. I hope everything you enjoy it here.

:hibiscus::beetle::bee::cherryblossom::sunflower::rose::ant::bug::blossom::tulip::fourleaf::rose::sunflower::cherryblossom::bee::beetle::hibiscus:
 
Simon rowlan said:
What should I say to my doctor?
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I would say to your GP more or less what you said in your post, that you think you have ASD, would like to be assessed, that you have learned coping mechanisms and to mask your ASD so it's not always so visible on the out side, but internally you are struggling. If you think that it is affecting your mental health, relationships and employment, you should mention that, too.

You could write out a list of traits for your GP, and give real life examples of how the traits affect you.
 
I just got a referral 2 days ago :)

I had just given up hope that I would get one and at 68 thought it was impossible now. But I consulted my GP because my social anxiety has gone through the roof since the death of my daughter a few weeks ago, so I asked whether I should seek help with that which is a long term condition, or just go for grief counselling. She referred me to a grief counsellor then pondered CGT but I pointed out that I remembered having the anxiety at age 6 and have often wondered if I was on the spectrum. We agreed that CBT might not help then she said 'but you have managed so far what would it benefit you to have a diagnosis?' I said that I would have access to the local support group and be able to socialise in a safe place. She accepted!

Someone on another thread challenged me when I said I could not expect a diagnosis now! She was right - THANK YOU'.
 
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I wasn't diagnosed by GP ,in my area it was an autism team ,i've never heard of a GP officially diagnosing autism .
i'm in north east England . don't mask your traits, I think I was diagnosed because I couldn't stand still I was standing up rocking from side to side looking very agitated, one of the signs the GP looks for is if you are in that state can you answer questions that are current ?
Simon rowlan said:
self diagnosed aspie but really would like professional assessment, would like to stop feeling like a freak, and I feel confirmation might help me see that I am actually a part of the human race, but just with slightly different wiring. I'm scared to go to my gp in case she says 'naaa, you're not aspergers, because I can hold a conversation with her about my medical issues, also I'm not an aspire who struggles to make eye contact by any means, I can look people straight in the eye. Many random people I mention my aspergers to, or even family members will often express doubts as I apparently seem 'normal' to them. They have no idea how much I'm struggling to actually hold a conversation with them. What should I say to my doctor? Please can somebody help me!!
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Hi Simon and welcome

I am also unofficial, but hope to at some point be official.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. I even brought up the subject to my dr, with heart pounding and with her saying she has heard of aspergers and then, a little while later, shook her head and said: sorry, but no, you do not have autism. I have many patients who are autistic and you are not like them and thus, ended the conversation!

People who know me quite well, actually do accept me as an aspie, even though they know I am not official and well, either positive or negative, which way one wants to look at it, my behaviour shows I am different and thus, why they do not question the authenticity of it all.

This forum will make you feel that you are not some strange oddity and in fact, make you feel quite normal and is refreshing to come here, when you have to deal with nts through the day.

ps. Another aspie on here, suggested and excellent tip for me, which is working. I am currently seeing a psychiatrist and next week, also a psychiatric nurse and concentrating on one aspect and that is the extreme social phobia I have. In fact, it supercedes the aspergers really.

I saw a social worker during the week and at first, with precaution of being laughed at, mentioned aspergers, at first, she was pretty incredulous and demanded when I had been tested and so, well, I could not pretend I had ( I am from the uk, but live in France) and so told her the truth. Thankfully, that kick started my husband who joined me in relating my "strange" habits and she started quickly scribbling something down on her paper and feel sure it was related to aspergers.

So, if you can find something else you struggle with mentally, then use that as your sort of "sounding board" to reach aspergers.
 
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chocoholic said:
I am in Durham. Which is best? Thanks.
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you don't have a choice ,it's just one of them obviously decided to be in Gateshead ,what I did was contact the hospital in Morpeth and tell them the nearest place I could go ,if there is a doctor's surgery near you or a hospital tell them how far are you prepared to travel,they came to Sunderland my appointment was at a hospital.
just say you want to stay in Durham
 
Thanks so much SW. I hasve already got my GP to refer me so it will be Durham team. So how should I go about things?
 
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