AIBU to find it incredibly frustrating that there are basically no resources in the UK for people like me?

Sorry op but, what?

You're very cognitovely able
Functioning perfectly well for the most part

So you're a clever woman who copes fine with life.

What help do you feel you need?

I’m quite intrigued. I work in a post stroke team which usually includes a neuropsychologist and her work is fascinating. But like all of us, her work is about setting and working towards goals. Inevitably in a stroke team that’s about either trying to restore function or identify/practice strategies to compensate for a deficit.

Theres always a cultural element to what we call medicine and psychology. I wonder if you are looking in the wrong place? It depends what the ‘problem’ is, if any, but I actually wonder in the UK if you might find the kind of illumination you seek either in theology, philosophy or sport psychology? I know that’s quite random but I can’t tell from your post what you are looking for.

Of course you can be curious (about... whatever it is you're curious about) and investigate whatever it is.

But if you're not ill or suffering, then there's no reason to expect the NHS to pay for it.

I don't think that's an unreasonable boundary for the NHS to have.

You could look at research participation opportunities in universities but I doubt there are many studies being funded on this specifically. You may that some give you insights more generally.

You could also explore doing a masters with a research component

YABU if you think the state should somehow support your desire to understand your brain better just because you’re curious. If there was commercial demand for this then a private company would have been established. Have you looked for private companies? If there isn’t one I guess your interests are too niche to be catered for.

I don't think it's a massive blindspot, I think it's just not needed as having people who are very cognitively able isn't a problem so tax money shouldn't go on this. Unless I have misunderstodd something it sounds like you have perhaps got caught up in a bit too much navel-gazing.

What exactly do you need? And what exactly do you want?
It’s two different things but both are unclear from your post by the way.
I don’t think there is any sort of issue in UK as no country provides a free / discounted service when there is no need.

I actually think nowadays you just have to dig and you’ll find a specific person that will help you with anything. You just have to get on the right path.

What are you curious about?

If you are a functioning, able, fine individual then you have to pay for your "curiosity"

Unless I've misunderstood something

Governments pay for public assessments because it saves them money in the long run ( ie, get a diagnosis so you can understand yourself better so you can stay employed and pay taxes ). (Obviously this is a gross oversimplification)

There is no reason for them to pay for "just because" assessments.

Neuropsych is expensive because those assessments take hours / days of a professional's time, and that person needs to earn a living. You wouldn't expect a painter to just paint your house for free, "just because".

I mean a private phsychiatrist might be able to help you get to the bottom of what you want.

You’ve been assessed outside the UK as being “very cognitively able”? As in highly intelligent? Or good at exams? Or in old money - clever?

I don’t understand what this means and what support you are looking for in the UK.

😵‍💫

I'm really intrigued about exactly what it is you want to understand. It's not very clear from your post.

So you're coping with life perfectly well and have no cognitive dysfunction. Hmmm, I'd say just get on with it. Maybe do a Psychology A level to understand how minds work or something. Not sure what you're hoping to gain.

If you’re not suffering then why do you need resources?

The NHS isn’t an infinite money pit, it’s to help people who needed it not to navel gaze at your own neuroses.

If you can pay for it, I'm sure a private practice will assess you for everything under the sun and discuss how your mind works for as long as you please. Or you can go on courses if you're curious to get a better understanding of psychology and human behaviour. Or even religion will to some extent. But if there's nothing that actually a problem, then of course there's no set pathway in the public sector because it's your individual interest like any other to pursue.

The NHS and private psychiatrists are literally there for sick/ill people not for learning about how your brain works.
If you want to understand your diagnosed condition that causes you NO problems (how did you meet the threshold for diagnosis?) then you need to do your own research or contact a researcher not a dr

wtf are you on about? What do you want/need to find out?

Yep, there isn't capacity in the NHS. for people who are well and coping/thriving with ND to get assessment because they are curious about themselves.
I don't mean that harshly, it's just a fact.
My DD is a lot like that too - was offered an assessment in her early teens (when not coping) but declined. By her late teens she was doing well but curious and we knew she would no longer be offered the same.
So we used savings. Paid for a private assessment. Yes, it's not fair if you don't have the resources. But it's what it is. We went without something else to fund it.

Lots of people undertake degrees in psychology if that would cover what you're interested in? Or is it specific to your own characteristics you want to learn about - in which case this would be very bespoke and obviously unlikely to be cheap (as you have found).

What are you talking about? What do you want or need?

You want a service for people who are particularly cognitively able to explore what it is about their minds that make them so? I'd be very surprised if you couldn't find someone to indulge this if you're prepared to pay. However I'm not sure it's something the tax payer will get behind so you get it for free.

The issue is I’m finding that there are only pathways if you’re struggling but not if you’re just curious.

Can you explain what you mean by this? Struggling how, and curious about what?

It sounds like you want people to work for free to give you therapy or teach you psychobiology or something?

What are you actually looking to achieve? If it's an understanding of how ND brains work, wouldn't reading around the subject help?