Went to a psychiatrist, who said she couldn't help.

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Hi, I am currently struggling to receive a diagnosis and haven't had any luck so far. I began researching psychiatrists who specialize in autism, I found one and was relieved to find it to be in my area! Today was my first appointment, and when I arrived, the psychiatrist that walked in was his Nurse Practitioner and wasn't the one I researched specializing in autism. I was asked to give my formal psych history/diagnoses and whatnot, and she immediately treated me with new anxiety and depression meds. I began mentioning that I would like to begin an autism assessment soon (hence why I was there in the first place), and she asked me why I believed I could have autism. I discussed a few things and before I could continue longer than about 30 secs, she said that they sounded like OCD issues and that only a Psychologist could perform an assessment anyways, not a psychiatrist. Is that true? My insurance only covers psychiatrists, and psychologists are relatively hard to find under $200 a session, and I know an official diagnosis could take at least a year to complete. I am just very confused as his website said he "specialized in autism". I feel like I've hit a dead-end and don't know where to go from here.

I would try to email this person directly, if possible.

Or try to give him a call.

Email might be better, though.

Sorry you went through this stuff.

If you are in Florida, as your avatar info states, be forewarned the vast majority of psychiatrists who say they specialize in autism, really mean they specialize in giving medications to children to control behavior problems. (I am also in Florida and work in the general area of developmental disabilities of which autism is one.)

The person I know in Florida who is an autism specialist (but not a doctor and not what you need) probably could recommend someone. PM me if you want his information.

BlazingStar knows her stuff!

I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist in the US. I agree with karftiekortie, contact the psychiatrist directly. Don't be discouraged and keep following up. I found it hard to find someone, mostly because of apathy of my primary care provider and the difficulty in communicating with the clinic. Think of it as a way to practice patience.

To add to those comments above. At the end of my diagnostic session, the doc did bring up drugs by asking me if I thought I needed them to help with my current condition. I politely refused and simply said I needed sometime to process this new diagnosis and adjust.

GRRRRRRR! That sounds so familiar... I'm so effing tired of hearing, "We only work with children..." Sorry to hear this! I don't have my official diagnosis, but I know that I am: there's nothing anyone can say that will make me believe otherwise.

Please remember to be patient with yourself while you try to figure things out: I sympathize with your frustration. So, yes, contact said doctor and call him out on his verbiage: if he can't help you ask him straight out who can?!?!?!?

Be safe and good luck,
DIVAIR

I felt a little anxious and confused during the appointment, but I should have just questioned her about it before leaving. I've had to wait for this appointment for a couple of months, so it was really disheartening to hear that they couldn't help. Thank you! I took your advice and sent one. We'll see what he says soon.

i believe the first i would look for advice at your countries autism charity helpline.
autism helpline US

I had to wait five months for my appointment. But the diagnosis took one hour.

Expanding just a bit on what the professional blazingstar said the stereotype of a session with a psychiatrist is a patient lying on the couch the psychiatrist asking questions and diagnosing the patient based on the answers. This is very dated. These days they mostly do proscribe drugs.

Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are medical doctors. They approach patients as doctors approach patients coming in with complaints of physical symptoms. Diagnose, then usually proscribe drugs to manage or eliminate the illness. Thing is autism is not a mental illness but a developmental disability. This is the purview of psychology not psychiatry.

While it is understandable that the OP felt she was being blown off the nurse practitioner was doing her a favor.

This is one of the MANY reasons why I’m against nurse practitioners. They just don’t have the training and schooling that an actual doctor who went to medical school has. The nursing module is very different from the one doctors have. In my opinion, if you did not go to medical school, you have absolutely no business prescribing medication or making a diagnosis. I’m a nurse.

Mental health professionals seem to shift to defensive mode much too quickly and much too readily. I wish they didn’t, but they really seem to.