Another newbie

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Hi everyone! Well, I have lurked here for a while now, occasionally coming here for wisdom and inspiration when life seems tough. I always get a bee in my bonnet about social justice issues and such like, so I needed to post this. Basically, I have been told by two doctors that 'diagnosis for adults doesn't exist in Scotland on the NHS as there is no benefit, it changes nothing'. They will write a letter to mental health team, but doubts that a referral will be accepted. This was said in very bored tone, like how dare I bother the doctors with this during COVID. Even suicide attempt doesn't get you referred according to what I have been told. My mind is blown right now.

Hello. Welcome.

Hello and welcome.

Welcome to Wrongplanet!

About diagnosis- unfortunately some doctors seem to be very reluctant to refer. But adult diagnosis is definitely a thing- I was diagnosed as an adult. Whether or not it's useful is something I don't believe a GP can tell you- it's personal and they generally don't have an intricate knowledge of all services offered for everything anyway. I'd look for a local autism group (or one that's easy to travel to)- the can help with these things or point you in the direction of someone that can. If you find one and they have an E-mail or phone number you could contact them that way.

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Hi there. I guess if there aren't any support services for adults then having a diagnosis doesn't improve your life in practical ways, maybe there are there other doctors you could go to for a referral. Hope you feel welcome here.

Welcome! I'm new here too, and feel for you. My diagnosis process was rough too.

It's a sad truth, that too often we have to fight for a diagnosis, and usually when we are at our weakest to begin with. Even the so-called experts can be totally ignorant. Another sad truth is, that a diagnosis does not automatically bring much support. It's wrong, and personally my bonnet ended up being so full of bees that I overhauled my career plans and now hope to find a job where I can help fellow Autists to have a little easier life than I've had.

Biggest advantage of diagnosis was, that now I happily skip most good advice clearly given NT's in mind, and know to search from right places and trust my gut when it tells me that some ideas that are great for most, end in disaster in my case.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help with many everyday issues, if you can manage to find a therapist who is knowledgeable about Autism. Don't know how the system works where you live, though. I got my therapy referral based on fake depression diagnosis (after the Dr. was convinced that I obviously need help even though it was pretty obvious that I didn't really suffer from depression), though in fact my therapy is 100% focused in helping me to survive as an Autist.

I wish you strength, and hope that your life will get easier soon.

Welcome

Good to have you

Welcome.

Hi and a very warm welcome to you .I was initially appalled when I read about a lack of assistance/diagnosis in Scotland and did some googling. Hopefully, this should change soon, once the Covid sutuation settles down up there. The following link may or may not be helpful to you. Assessments will resume again, but may take some time, as in the rest of the country. https://www.scottishautism.org/services-support/support-families/national-diagnosis-assessment-service

Meanwhile, lovely to have you with us and feel free to share or seek support here as needed.xx

Thanks everybody for your replies.

An update - I finally got diagnosed privately. My partner and his little girl also got diagnosed by same specialist. There are no services here on NHS. Neither diagnosis nor follow up support. It is sad as ASD or undiagnosed ASD becomes one of the most expensive conditions to treat on NHS. NO support means increased suicide attempts, need for mental health treatment, police intervention, fire brigade intervention and social services intervention.

Well, congratulations on getting a diagnosis, anyways!

I was 64 and quite retired when I got my diagnosis so it really did not have any official benefit for me. But I was still delighted to get the diagnosis. It explained so much! It was a relief to know it wasn't all in my imagination.

Oh, and I hope we see more of you on WP.

Congrats on the diagnosis.